
Class T -bZlO I 
Book • £5" 






THE GWYNEDDION; 



AN ACCOUNT 

# 






ROYAL DENBIGH EISTEDDFOD, 






HELD IN SEPTEMBER, 187.8: 



TOGETHER WITH 



THE PRIZE ESSAYS AND POEMS 



SUBJECTS PROPOSED 



FOR ADJUDICATION AT THAT MEETING. 

- 



CHESTER : 

PRINTED BY T. GRIFFITH, GR O S VEN O R-S T REE T , 

AND SOLD BY THE BOOKSELLERS IN CHESTER, NORTH WALES, LONDON, LIVERPOOL 
MANCHESTER, AND SHREWSBURY. 



MDCCCXXX. 



TT>XM 

, E 5" 






SIR EDWARD MOSTYN, BARONET, 



TALACRE, 



PRESIDENT OF THE 



ROYAL DENBIGH EISTEDDFOD, 



PATRIOTIC REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS FAMILY 
OF THE MUNIFICENT PATRON OF THE 



MEMORABLE BARDIC EISTEDDFOD HELD AT CAERWYS, 
IN THE REIGN, AND UNDER THE 

SANCTION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH, 

THE FOLLOWING PAGES 

ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 

BY HIS MOST DEVOTED 

AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, 

THOMAS GRIFFITH. 



PREFACE. 



THE month of September, of the year 1828, was a period pe- 
culiarly honourable to Gwynedd, and especially so to the Clwydian 
hills and vallies ; and will be referred to by the sons of Cambria, 
with delight and exultation, as long as her language shall maintain 
its distinctive character, or minstrelsy and song retain their magi- 
cal influence in elevating the soul to deeds of glory, stimulating our 
youth to the tender passions, in soothing the decrepitude of age, 
and in ministering comfort in the season of affliction. 

Whoever casts a cursory eye over this remark, will at once per- 
ceive that the subject of reference here pointed at, is the late 
splendid Eisteddfod held at Denbigh, which has properly ac- 
quired the appellation of Royal, from the patronage and presence 
of a distinguished member of the house of Brunswick. 

The design of this publication is two-fold ; first, to place upon 
record, in a respectable form, the history of the proceedings connected 
with that interesting Congress ; and secondly, to preserve and per- 
petuate the admirable compositions there produced — the genuine 
effusions of the native Awen. 

The Publisher respectfully begs to observe, that the delay of the 
work has arisen from circumstances in which he had^ no participa- 
tion, and from causes over which he had no controul. Of those 
circumstances and causes he declines even the enumeration ; and 
would only observe, that when he undertook the publication upon 
his own responsibility, it had been abandoned in every other quar- 
ter, and the valuable materials were in danger of being consigned 
to perpetual oblivion. 



In the selection, arrangement, and preparation of the different 
articles, the Publisher has been favoured with the valuable assist- 
ance of several competent individuals, to whom the Welsh public, 
as well as himself, are under great obligation. If the whole of the 
compositions had been given, the book would necessarily have been 
swelled to a bulk, that would have raised its price, so as to render 
its purchase difficult, if not impossible, to many. Those articles, 
therefore, which have been deemed the best, have been inserted ; 
but, for the reason just mentioned, many of those omitted have 
very high claims to literary merit. 

Without further remark, the work is now committed to the can- 
dour of the Principality : — If the Publisher has the good for- 
tune to obtain, what he has anxiously sought — the general appro- 
bation — his main object will be secured. 

Chester, August, 1830. 




CONTENTS. 



Page 

Dedication ... .... . . . . . . iii 

Preface .... .... ... . . y 

FIRST DAY. 

Arrangements for the Eisteddfod ..1 

Premiums, and the subject for each . . 2 

Proclamation on opening the Eisteddfod ..5 

The President's speech .... . . 6 

Englynion ... . . ib. 

Letters on being admitted honorary members . . . . 10 

Speech of the Rev. Thomas Price ..12 

Adjudication of the Prizes .... . ... ..13 

Speech of the Rev. Mr. Hughes ... ..15 

Speech of the Rev. Mr. Blackwell ... ..19 

Ordinary and the Concert .... ... .... . . 22 

SECOND DAY. 

Procession to meet His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex .... ..23 

Address to his Royal Highness .... .... . . ib. 

His Royal Highness's answer . . 24 

Pennill, by M r. Davies, Bardd Nantglyn . . , . .... . . 25 

Acrostic address to his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex ... . . ib 

Englynion on the Royal Duke's visit , . , . . 26 

Englyn on Sir S. Glynne's coming of age ... . . 27 

Contest for the Gold Harp . . 29 

The Concert . . ib. 

THIRD DAY. 

Contest for the Best Singer with the Harp .... . . 30 

The Oratorio and Ball . . ib. 

List of the Nobility and Gentry present ... ..31 

ESSAYS AND POEMS. 

Essay on the Flintshire Castles ... .... 1 

Traethawd ar Angenrheidrwydd Cyfraith, i gynnal Moesau da . . 53 

Awdl ar Wledd Belsassar (Gan G. Williams) . . 67 

Awdl ar Wledd Belsassar (Gan R . Parry j .... . . 84 

Awdl ar Wledd Belsassar (Gan Parch. E. Evans) ... .... . . 96 

Cywydd ar Ymdrech Buddug yn Erbyn y Rhufeiniaid — . .117 

Galarnad ar Farwolaeth y Gwir Barch. Dr. Heber . . 129 

Merits of Mr. O. Jones, alias Myvyr .... ..136 

Cywydd o Goffadwriaeth am Owain Myfyr ... . . 138 

Cywydd ar Gantre'r Gwaelod .... .... ..: ..147 

Awdl ar Amaethyddiaeth .... . ..157 

Yr Englyn Buddugawl ar yr Awyren .... .... .... ..170 

APPENDIX. 

List of Patrons and Vice- Patrons .... . . 171 

Committee and Honorary Members .... --.. ..172 

List of Bards and Minstrels . . . . 173 

Subscriptions in aid of the Eisteddfod . . ib. 

A bstract of Treasurer's accounts ... .... . . 1 74 

Honorary Testimonials ... . . 175 



AN ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS 



ROYAIi DENBIGH EISTEDDFOD 



THIS great National Congress of Cambrian Bards was held at 
Denbigh on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 16th, 17th, 
and 18th of September, 1828, under the sanction of the Cymmro- 
dorion Society in Gwynedd. The assembly had excited a power- 
ful interest throughout the northern part of the Principality, and 
was equal, if not superior, to any similar festival that has been 
held, either metropolitan or provincial, since the revival of the 
JEisteddfodau in the year 1819. For this assumption a reasonable 
foundation is laid in the unparalleled patronage it received from 
distinguished individuals, of which we shall give a general outline. 
Sir Edward Mostyn, of Talacre, Bart, had notified his acceptance of 
the office of President, than whom a more public-spirited Welsh- 
man does not exist in the Principality ; he had also a peculiar claim 
upon this distinction : — He is the representative and heir of Piers 
Mostyn, who presided at the Eisteddfod at Caerwys, in the reign of 
Queen Elizabeth ; and also a lineal descendant of Richard ap Hywel 
ap Efan Vaughan, Esq. of Mostyn, under whose management the 
great Eisteddfod was held at Caerwys, in the reign of Henry VIII. 
on the 2nd of July, 1523. The list of Patrons to this meeting com- 
prised no less than eleven noblemen, two bishops, and three baro- 
nets, namely, Marquis of Anglesey, Lords Grosvenor, Powys, 
Bagot, Dungannon, Kenyon, Newborough, Plymouth, Dynevor, 
Clive, and Ashley ; the Bishops of St. Asaph and Bangor ; and Sirs 
W. W. Wynn, E. P. Lloyd, and C. Morgan. Of Vice-Presidents, 
there were upwards of fifty of the most distinguished gentry in the 
Principality, comprehending in their number eight baronets, and 
eight members of parliament. About sixty gentlemen, of respect- 
able character and active talents, acted as a Committee, and who 

B 



sedulously applied their time and influence in arranging to the best 
advantage the multiform business of the meeting. And lastly, the 
immediate superintendance of the Eisteddfod was confided to that 
talented gentleman, John Parry. Esq. author of the Welsh Melo- 
dies, who on more than one occasion had occupied a similar station 
in the arrangement of the Cambrian meetings in London, with great 
credit to himself, and advantage to the establishment. In addition 
to the numerous attractions which this most interesting national fes- 
tival produced, his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, a visitor at 
the splendid and hospitable mansion of Colonel Hughes, of^KTnmel 
Park, had signified his intention to honour it with his presence, and 
for that purpose had even condescended to relinquish another en- 
gagement which his Royal Highness had previously entered into. 
Nothing could be more fortunate for the splendour and popularity of 
this meeting than the visit of the Royal Duke to the Principality at 
so critical a juncture, nor could the revival of this ancient ceremony 
be associated with a circumstance more likely to increase the inter- 
est which in all other respects it so powerfully excited. 

As early as April, Mr. Parry had the authority of the Committee 
to engage some of the most celebrated musicians and vocalists in the 
kingdom, and among these distinguished individuals were Miss 
Stephens, Miss Johnston, Mr. Braham, Mr. Collyer, Mr. Atkins, 
Mr. Parry, Mr. Parry, Jun. and Mr. J. J. Jones, B.M. of Oxford. 

Having conveyed some idea of the splendid auspices under which 
the Denbigh Eisteddfod was to be celebrated, it may be necessary 
to advert to the subjects announced for competition, and the value 
of the premiums annexed to the successful candidates. These will 
best be understood by the announcement published under the direc- 
tion of the Committee : — 

1st. — A Premium of Ten Guineas, and a Medal of the value 
of Five Guineas, for the best Awdl, in Welsh, on H Gwledd Bel- 
shazzar" (Belshazzar's Feast.) 

2nd. — For the best Cywydd, in Welsh, on " Buddug" (Boa- 
dicea,) a Premium of Seven Guineas, and a Medal of the value of 
Three Guineas. 

3rd. — For the bestENGLYN, on " YrAwyren" (The Air Balloon,) 
a Premium of Three Guineas, and a Medal of the value of Two 
Guineas. 

4th.— For the best Welsh Essay, on " Anghenrheidrwydd Cyf- 
raith i gynnal moesau da," (the necessity of Law for the moral re- 
straint of the People,) a Premium of Seven Guineas, and a Medal 
of the value of Three Guineas. 



5th.— For the best English Essay, containing "An Historical 
Account of the Flintshire Castles" a Premium of Seven Guineas, 
and a Medal of the value of Three Guineas. 

6th. — For the best Cywydd, on " Diolchgar ac anfarwol Goffad- 
wriaeth am y Gwasanaeih a wnaeth Owain Myfyr iw wlad drwy go- 
leddu ei Hiaith, a chasglu ynghyd lawer o hen Ysgrifenadau Cymreig 
oedd ar wasgar ac yn debyg 6u colli" (To the immortal memory of 
Mr. Owen Jones, for the services he rendered to the Literature of 
his Country,) a Premium of the value of Three Guineas. 

7th.— For " The best Catalogue of Welsh M.S.S. in North Wales, 
in addition to those already extant" a Medal of the value of Five 
Guineas. 

8th. — For " The best Collection of unpublished Welsh Penillion," 
a Premium of Five Guineas. 

9th. — A Gold Harp for the best proficient on the Triple Harp, 
who has already gained a prize for his performance on that instru- 
ment. 

10th. — A Premium of Five Guineas, or a Silver Harp of that 
value, to the best performer on the Triple Harp, from among the 
general competitors. (No one will be prevented from competing 
for this prize but the gainer of the Golden Harp.) 

11th. — A Premium of Three Guineas for the second best per- 
former on the same instrument. 

12th. — A Premium of Three Guineas for the best Singer with 
the Harp, and a Premium of Two Guineas for the second best 
Singer with the same instrument. 

13th. — The Royal Medal of the Metropolitan Cymmrodorion, for 
the best Poem, in Welsh, on " Cantref Gwaelod" (The Low-land 
Hundred.) 

14th. — The Gwyneddigion Medal for the best Welsh Poem, on 
" Amaethyddiaeth," (Agriculture.) 

15th. — The Denbigh Welsh Literary Society's Medal, of the 
value of Five Pounds, for the best Awdl, on " Coffadwriaeth am y 
diweddar Barchedig Goronwy Owain, y Bardd Cymreig enwocaf yn 
-ei oes." (To the memory of the late Rev. Goronwy Owen, the 
most eminent Welsh Poet of his time.) 

On TUESDAY the 16th SEPTEMBER, 1828, 
This splendid Festival commenced under the jmost gratifying auspi- 
ces. For several previous days, the weather bore an unfavourable 
aspect, and it was apprehended the original intention of the Commit- 
tee to hold the meeting with the precincts of the Castle would be 



frustrated, arrangements having been made that in the event of 
rain, the Congress should be held in the Town Hall, a place very 
inadequate to admit the great influx of company that was assembled. 
Happily, however, the weather was highly propitious. The sun 
arose in a bright, unclouded sky, and gilded with his rays the oppo- 
site acclivities of the beautiful Vale of Clwyd, and the tops of the 
numerous mansions on its shelving sides. At an early hour in the 
morning, groups of country people were entering the town in every 
direction, many of them carolling their ditties in their native tongue, 
as if they had already caught, by the power of sympathy, the spi- 
rit of the Cambrian pennillion. Nor had the inhabitants of the re- 
spectable town of Denbigh been unmindful of the honour it was 
destined to receive by being selected as the favoured spot for holding 
this ancient Bardic Congress, and as incidentally connected with this, 
of the privilege of being visited by a Prince so nearly allied to the 
British crown as the Duke of Sussex. On the tower of the Church, 
the Burgess's tower, and on the grand entrance of the Castle, nu- 
merous flags waved to the wind, and the utmost efforts of two or 
three Church bells were busily engaged in announcing the joyous 
occasion. 

Between nine and ten o'clock, the Gentlemen of the Committee 
assembled at the Town Hall, at the entrance of which the excellent 
Band of the Royal Denbigh Militia had stationed themselves, and 
played several national and other airs. Here also were assembled 
the Bards, Minstrels, and a vast coucourse of friends, who soon 
after ten o'clock joined the procession, formed by the Corporation, 
in their robes, the President, several of the Vice-Presidents, and 
Committee, towards the Bowling- Green, entering by the Burgess's 
Tower. In the first instance, the procession entered the Grand 
Gateway of the Castle,* and, in the open square within its walls, 

• This Castle stands on the summit cf a rock, sloping ou all but one side, which is precipitous. 
It was built by Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, to whom King Edward I. had giveu the Lord- 
ship. After the death of this Earl, the Castle and Lordship devolved to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, 
who married Alicia, his daughter. On his attainder, Edward II. bestowed them upon his favourite 
Hugh Despencer, who deprived the inhabitants of Denbigh of the privileges granted them by 
Lacy. On the execution of Despencer, this lordship and Castle again escheated to tke crown, 
and were by Edward III. given to Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, who placed his arms over the 
chief gate. After his attainder and death, the King granted them to William Montacute, Earl of 
Salisbury : he died anno 1333, and on the reversal of the attainder of the Eail of March, they 
were restored to his grandson Roger ; and by the marriage of Anne, sister to another Roger, last 
Earl of March, with Richard Plantagenet, Earl of Cambridge, it came into the house of York, and 
so to the Crown. In the year 1593, Queen Elizabeth bestowed them on her favourite Robert Dud- 
ley, Earl Leicester, who raised the rents of his tenants from 250/ to 900/ and also arbitrarily in- 
- closed the waste lands. At present this, and the manors of JBromfield and Yade, are in the Crown, 
superintended by a steward appointed by the King — Tiie grand entrance was formerly through a 
large gate, having a pointed arch, and flanked by two octagonal towers, uow in ruins. The breaches 
about this building show the manner of its construction, which was this : two walls occupy ingihe 
extremities of the intended thickness were first built in the ordinary manner, with a vacuity 



the Eisteddfod was formally opened by the following proclamation, 
read in Welsh by Mr. Blackwell, and in English by Aneurin Owen, 
Esq. viz. — 

Welsh. — " Y Gwir yn erbyn y byd. Yn y flwyddyn 1828, pan 
oedd yr haul yn Alban Elfed, yn awr anterth, ar y 16eg o fis Medi, y 
cyhoeddir gorsedd yn nghastell Dinbych, yn Ngwynedd, i roddi 
gwys a gwahawdd i bawb a gyrchont yma, lie nad oes noeth arf yn 
eu herbyn, ac y cyhoeddir barn gorsedd ar bob awenydd a barddoni 
a roddir dan ei hystyriaeth, yn llygad haul ac yn ngwyneb goleuni — 
Y Gwir yn erbyn y byd." 

English. — " The Truth against the world. In the year 1828, 
when the sun is on the point of the autumnal equinox, in the fore- 
noon of the 16th of September, this gorsedd, duly proclaimed, is 
opened in the Castle of Denbigh, in Gwynedd, with invitation to 
all, where no naked weapon is lawful, to pronounce judgment on all 
works of genius submitted to them, in the eye of the sun, and face 
of the light — 

The Truth against the world." 

The company then proceeded to the Bowling- Green, where 
benches had been placed for the auditory, in front of an elevated 
stage, eleven yards by eight, on which were seated the Bards, Cor- 
poration, the Gentlemen who occupied an official character, and 
some of the most distinguished visitants, amongst whom were Lord 
Bagot, Sir Edward Mostyn, Sir W. W. Wynn, the Ladies con- 
nected with these distinguished families, and a great number of 
others. Neither the limits of the work, nor the nature of the 
subject, will allow of a lengthened digression, or we could occupy 
several pages, and very pleasantly to ourselves, in describing the 
transcendantly beautiful view of the Vale of Clwyd from this lovely 
spot. We do not think that any scenery is equal to it in the king- 
dom. So thought all the strangers that had never before had the 
opportunity of witnessing it. 

About eleven o'clock the trumpet sounded the signal of the open- 



between them, into which was poured a mixture of mortar and rough stones of all sizes, which on 
drying, formed a mass as hard as stone; this manner of building is called grouting. — In 1645, this 
Castle must have been in some tolerable state of repair, as King Charles lay here on the 23rd of 
December in that year, after his retreat from Chester, in a tower, now called the King's Tower, 
probably in memory of that event —In 1646, this Castle was in the hands of the royalists ; the go- 
vernor was William Salisbury, commonly called Blue Stockiugs. It was besieged by General 
Mytton, who sat down before it about the 16th of July ; but it did not surrender till the 3rd of No- 
vember, and then on most honourable conditions. It is said to have been blown up after the 
restoraton of Charles II. 



6 

ing of the Congress, and Sir Edward Mostyn took the chair, placed 
at the front of the stage. 

The worthy Baronet immediately addressed the meeting, in a 
speech replete with intense national feeling, which elicited the ap- 
plause of the auditory. He said, if he did not feel deeply inter- 
ested in the cause of the present meeting, he should not think him- 
self deserving of the Wood of his ancestors ; hut he would say with 
unhesitating confidence, he had all the ardour which his progenitors 
could hoast. When he was first solicited to take the chair upon this 
occasion, he acceded to the request without hesitation ; this did 
not arise from any confidence in his own ability, hut purely from his 
fixed purpose to show his devotedness to the interests of the Prin- 
cipality, and particularly to its literature ; he wished to make him- 
self useful to his neighbours. He regretted, indeed, that the task 
which had devolved upon him, had not fallen into more competent 
hands, hut still as he had undertaken it, he would sustain it with 
zeal and alacrity. The object of the Eisteddfod was known to be 
the cultivation of the ancient British language, and the revival of 
its literature. Formerly these meetings had been held under the 
sanction of royal authority, and he had the gratification of knowing 
that his ancestors had made a prominent figure in their transactions. 
Much as he regarded the royal sanction, he would say that he 
paid a still higher regard to the calls of his countrymen, than to the 
mandates of royalty. It was, however, a peculiarly gratifying fea- 
ture in the present Eisteddfod, that we should have the presence of 
a royal Prince, nearly allied to the throne. His Royal Highness 
the Duke of Sussex, who was pre-eminently distinguished as the 
patron of every thing that had for its object a national good, had 
condescendingly signified his intention of honouring the meeting 
with his presence ; he was sure they would be anxious to show to 
him every possible token of respect ; and also to convince their 
friends of England, that they had not lost their ancient character 
for hospitality. The worthy Baronet concluded, by emphatically 
declaring that his heart was devoted, and ever should be, to the 
honour and interests of the Principality. — Loud and reiterated ap- 
plauses followed this address. 

The President then requested the Bards to come forward, and 
on the invitation the following Englynion were recited : — 
Diwrnod a gwen rhad arno — ydyw hwn, 

Da haul i'w ddysgleirio, 

A dynion serchlawn dano 

Yn dal Diliau Breintiau 'n bro. 



Breintiau, defodau da fad, — ein hynaif 
Mewn hanes a phrofiad, 
Er cynnal gwir aceniad 
Arferion gleinion ein gwlad. 

Sef cadw 'n faith ein hiaith i'w mwynhau — i'n hoes 
Cadw hanesion Lyfrau, — 
Cofion ein dewrion di an, 
Rhag tan a rhwyg y tonau. 

Wele fraint ar oleu fryn, — eang wyl 
Yn ngolwg Clwyd Ddyffryn ; — 
Gwelwn gael yn hael yn hyn 
Rymusder Sir E. Mostyn. 

Robert Davies, Nantgly . 

Eisteddfod yn glod i'n Gwledydd, — amgylch, 
Ymgais di hefelydd, 
Hynaws iawn Gymro hen sydd 
Gaed erora yn Gadeirydd. 

I'r Awen, or goreuwyr, — y rhoddgu 
Wr hawddgar ger Gwespyr 
Yw 'r haelaf a gaf o'r Gwyr, 
Ifor ydyw i'w Frodyr. 

Ei einioes in' sy dan sel, — er i'w Dy 
Fyn'd ar dan yn ufel, 
Nid dwr na than a'i gwan, gwel, 
Na gyrfa gwynt nag oerfel. 

Simwnt Fychan glan ei glod, — a fydrodd 
O'i fedrus fyfyrdod 
I'w Deulu hen Awdl hynod, 
Wele 'n ben o'u hil yn hod. 

Wm. Edwards^ Ysgeifiog. 

Gwybodaeth, ah ! daeth ei dwthwn — Dinbych 
Sy'n danbaid oil, gwelwn, 
O duedd nawdd y dydd hwn 
Ar ei chynnydd crechwenwn. 

Y Brython, ow ! bu'r Iaith yn wan — bu 'n weddw, 
Bu 'n eiddil, bu 'n druan, 
Henffych Iaith, wythwaith weithian, 
Gwedi 'r loes hi gwyd i'r Ian. 



8 

Tra ser, tra chofier, tra chwyth — tra mydrer, 
Trwy ymadrodd dilyth, 
Tra 'n gwlwm trwy n gwehelyth, 
Ei llwyr barch ni chollir byth. 

Effro duedd ffrwd Awen — yn llonwycli 
Sy 'n Uenwi 'n ei helfen ; 
Hoff ran hardd o'r Dyffryn hen 
Gwyrdd odiaeth ail gardd Eden. 

Mor fad ydyw 'r wlad oludog ! — doniol 
Fu 'i dynion ardderchog — 
Gwlad is chwa, gwlad eos a chog, 
Gwlad anwyl yw 'r hen Glwyd enwog. 

Dug enwog dai 'n deg unawl — i'n talaith 
O'n teulu breninawl ; 
Cawn ni Feirdd wneud can o fawl 
I Sussecs, wr grasusawl. 

Plaid Beirddion, feibion hoyw-ber — yw n Llywydd 
Galluog, mwyn dymher, 
Enw bydd tra bo Awen ber 
I Mostyn a'i gymhwysder. 

Thomas Jones, neu Thos. Gwynedd. 

Mae 'n gwau Iaith oleu a thelyn,— gosteg 
Ar Gastell Caledfryn; 
Grymusder geir i Mostyn 
Y gwr hardd a garo hyn. 

Sef Llywydd i'n dydd uniawn daeth, — siriawl, 
Fal seren Barddoniaeth ! 
Gadeirwr geidwad araeth, 
Rwydd iawn fodd, rydd i ni faeth. 

Parodawl Feirdd puredig, — o'u dyfais 
Rydd gerdd dafod unig ; 
Difai i lu pendefig, 
Hyfa ddawn, a phwy fo ddig ? 

Ar ddriad caniad cynhes — 'r hen Fyfyr 
Yn fwyfwy wnai loches 
Emyn-waith gaed i'n mynwes 
Ddug foliant, llwyddiant, a lies. 




Siriawl yw'r Iaith, ddisorod — gan Gomer 
A gemau tra pharod, 
Blethiadawl, arglwyddawl glod, 
'Mhob achau ni bu uchod. 

Er gwyro y' mhlith gwerin — ei baner 
Ddug Bonedd i'w meithrin ; 
Wefusawl dafodawl fin, 
Melusawl a mawl iesin. 

Daeth iesin o barth Essecs — o'i Fawredd 
I furiau Brythonecs 
Nid Syr yw, ond brawd Sior Bex 
Dacw sais, Duke o Sussecs. 

Gosteg in Duke Augusta — syw rinwedd *» ^, 
Serenawg ddaeth yraa ; 
Hir oes glau a'i ddyddiau 'n dda, 
Amen : yn awr ymuna'. 

Samuel Evans, Callestr. 

Mae 'nghalon yn ymloni — neu megis 
Ymagor neu hollti ; 
Gan mor ferth brydferth yw bri 
Ar esgyll 'r Awen wisgi. 

Pa werth dirfawr, pa wen ? — ba brydferth 
Ber odfa mor addien ; 
Cystal lie a'r Castell ben 
I drawiad plant yr Awen. 

Anrhydedd i Gallestr ydi — ac achos 
Go ucbel i'w gyfri, 
Yn awr fod ein Llywydd ni, 
Hynaws, yn d'od o honi. 

Isallt y'mhlwy Llanasa — yno mae 
Ei annedd a'i drigfa 
Prifion, fenditbion da ; 
Wych iawn-wr, a'i amgylchyna. 

Di nac, lie oedd Talacre-—\ feirdd 
Yn fwrdd a cbartrefle ; 
Gwinoedd yn llynoedd drwy'r lie, 
Ae arian i'r rbai gore'. 

John Boberts, Hersedd. 
c 



10 

Extempore, for the Fair Weather for the Day. 

'R wy n chwennych dweud Englyn chwaneg — dilys, 
Y dylem heb attreg, 
Heb rwystro, tra bo r osteg, 
Mawrhau ein Duw am 'r bin deg. 

John Roberts, Hersedd. 

Simon Jones, Dinbych, a blind bard, and Jobn Evans, of Wrex- 
ham, also recited some Englynion, which were extremely well re- 
ceived, but of which copies were not supplied. The former 
appeared to possess the vis comica in no small degree ; the ex- 
pression of his countenance was irresistibly ludicrous, and might vie 
with that of the favoured son of Momus — Liston himself. His re- 
cital elicited roars of laughter, and shouts of applause. 

The following letters (together with one from Mr. Wordsworth) 
were then read, from gentlemen who had been elected honorary 
members of the Cymmrodorion Society in Gwynedd : — 

Sir, — I am sorry that, from happening not to he in London when your 
favour arrived, I have so long delayed acknowledging the receipt of it. But I 
beg leave to express, through you, to the Members of the Cymmrodorion Society 
in Gwynedd, that I feel greatly honoured at being chosen by them to be an 
Honorary Member of their Society. 

That the ancient British literature should be preserved, and the poetry and 
music of Wales encouraged, are objects worthy the attention and patronage of 
those who now, as their descendants, represent the most ancient inhabitants of 
our common island.— And it has given me, for some years, a very high gratifica- 
tion to see that the gentlemen of Wales have so zealously exerted themselves in 
behalf of objects so truly national and so laudable, because Wales possesses an- 
cient remains of her old Bards and Writers — what cannot be convicted of later 
fabrication, and what in some respects no other country can parallel. 

I beg to return you thanks for the communication, and have the honour to 
be, Sir, 

Your's, most faithfully and sincerely, 

SHARON TURNER. 

Sir,— I was duly honoured with the very flattering information that I had 
been elected an Honorary Member of the Cymmrodorion Society of Gwynedd, 
for which I beg permission to return my most respectful acknowledgments. 

I was at the same time obliged with your invitation to attend the Musical and 
Poetical Festival of this year, and I should be extremely glad to be present on 
so interesting an occasion, did the great distance permit. If, by any unforeseen 
chance, I should be in England about the time, I would be much pleased with 
the opportunity of attending. But there is so great a distance between Gwynedd 



11 

and the frontiers of Strathclwydd, that my best wishes for the prosperity of the 
meeting, must, I fear, be accepted, in lieu of my personal attendance. 
I am, Sir, 

Your obliged humble servant, 
Edinburgh, 3rd March, 1828. WALTER SCOTT. 

Keswick, 9th May, 1828. 
Sir, — I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, inform- 
ing me of the honour which the Cymmrodorion Society in Gwynedd have been 
pleased to confer upon me, in electing me one of the Honorary Members : an 
honour of which I am duly sensible, and which is peculiarly gratifying to me, 
because one of the works by which I hope to be remembered hereafter, relates 
mainly to Welsh tradition and Welsh history. 

I have the honour to remain, Sir, 

Your obliged and obedient humble servant, 

ROBERT SOUTHEY. 

Sloperton Cottage, Devizes, July 10th, 1828. 
Sir, — By some accident it was not till within these few days that I received 
the letter with which you have favoured me, communicating the very flattering 
intelligence that the Members of the Cymmrodorion Society had done me the 
honour of enrolling me on their list as a Member. I beg you will express my 
warmest thanks to these gentlemen for the distinction they have conferred on 
me : and also say, what happiness it will give me to attend their next meeting, 
should I be lucky enough to have it in my power. 

I have the honour to be, Sir, 

Your very obliged servant, 

THOMAS MOORE. 
The foregoing letters were addressed to " JR. P. Jones, Esq. 
M.D. Honorary Secretary, fyc. Denbigh." 

The Rev. W. Jenkins Rees, Rector of Casgob, Radnorshire, 
read some English lines, addressed to the Denbigh Eisteddfod, 
written by his friend the Rev. H. Jones, of Merthyr Tydvil. This 
composition was truly an unique acrostic, the initial letters of each 
line forming a Welsh Englyn. The following lines, the initials of 
which give the word " Eisteddfod" are a pretty fair specimen of the 
composition : 

E nough, my Muse ! the fame of ancient days 

I n all its splendours Denbigh's green displays ; 

S uch as by statute princes did convene, 

T he pride of Cambria, an Eisteddfod scene, 

E nacted were by Griffith, Conan's son, 

D iplomas bardic, as by Bleddyn done ; 

D esign'd t' afford to each his proper place, 

F or Bards were then, as now, a chequer'd race : 

O f Minstrels too, ordain'd were orders nine, 

D istinguish'd each as more or less divine. 



12 

The Rev. Thomas Price, of Crickhowell, now offered himself to 
the notice of the meeting, and spoke to the following effect : — The 
present was an occasion upon which the natives of the Principality 
claimed the privilege of recalling to mind the ancient usages of the 
nation; and as that platform had been proclaimed, by sound of 
trumpet, as a field upon which every friend to his country might be 
permitted to marshal his patriotic feelings, and pass them in review, 
it was with unfeigned delight he had listened to that note of prepa- 
ration, and had hastened to attend its call ; though he had little else 
to plead for his appearance there than the mere privileges of the 
day. While some were then involved in the intricate alliterations 
of bardic compositions, and came possibly involved in the contem- 
plation of the deep and awful mysteries of Druidism, though he 
was himself neither bard nor minstrel, he had still ventured within 
those bardic precincts ; in the full assurance that no other qualifica- 
tion would be required there, and no other credentials demanded, 
than those of sincere and hearty wishes for the success of every in- 
stitution which had for its object the cultivation of nationality and 
patriotism ; and he hoped he might be pardoned if he did not suc- 
ceed in expressing that national ardour which the proceedings of 
that day naturally tended to inspire. He thought that upon such 
an occasion, ancient prepossessions and even prejudices should not 
be subjected to too severe a reprehension, as they were not unfre- 
quently interwoven with the very grounds of patriotism. He then 
took a review of ancient recollections, and observed, that in con- 
templating these subjects the mind was often led into scenes of tu- 
mult and of peril ; but, though much of the advantages which his 
countrymen had acquired in those perilous times remained to them 
at this day, it was a consolation to be assured that their evils ex- 
isted only in recollection. The beacon of Moel Famau no longer 
cast its blasting glare over that lovely valley that was now spread 
before them, and the peaceful inhabitants were no longer alarmed by 
the shout of Caledfryn, nor the wail of Morfa Rhuddlan. The Rev. 
Gentleman then adverted to the dark and mysterious ages of my- 
thological gloom, before even the twilight of history had glimmered 
upon the land. In other departments of antiquarian research, there 
was some index to guide the judgment. The labelled window, the 
pointed arch, the tessalated pavement — all these stamped their par- 
ticular sera and their date ; but the gray stones of the mountain earn, 
and the rude moss-grown pillar of the Druid, set all research and 
even conjecture at defiance. Yet, nevertheless, in this period of 
mists and shadows, there existed a style and tone of poetic feeling 



13 

forming a species in itself, and entirely distinct from that to be 
found in any other country. And, in a Congress of Bards, he 
hoped he might be excused if he alluded to a subject so intimately 
connected with those which they professed to investigate. — He then 
described the character of poetic imagination found in the Greek 
and Roman classics, and that which succeeded to it in the romances 
of chivalry ; he also alluded to the tone of feeling in Ossian, and in 
the Scandanavian mythology. But he said, that the character of 
imaginary existence which now lay hid in the ancient British re- 
mains, was no less original and striking. Perhaps some one might 
ask him to point out the particular bearing of this discovery ; but 
he would answer, that he himself had only seen the distant break- 
ers, and had not made the shore ; he had only picked up a few float- 
ing fragments of the drifting produce. It remained for some other 
to discover the land, some literary Columbus, who should add a 
new world to those already known. The Rev. Gentleman concluded 
by adverting to the hope that was now entertained, that some me- 
morial would be raised to perpetuate the memory of Mr. Owen 
Jones, an individual who had distinguished himself as one of the 
best promoters of Welsh literature. — [In the course of this elo- 
quent address, of which the above sketch conveys but a very in- 
adequate idea, the Rev. Gentleman was repeatedly interrupted by 
the loud plaudits of his auditory.] 

THE ADJUDICATION OF THE PRIZES. 

A most interesting scene now took place in the distribution of 
the Premiums and Medals to the successful candidates. The first 
subject for adjudication was, for the best Englyn on " Yr Awyren" 
(the Air Balloon) for which the premium of three guineas and a 
medal of the value of two guineas were assigned. On this subject 
the Rev. Walter Davies, Mr. Blackwell, and Mr. Aneurin Owen, 

were the judges, and we give the decision in their own words : 

" When a prize is offered for the best Englyn^ on a given subject, 
it is generally expected that it contains the name of the subject pro- 
posed — that the properties thereof be well defined, without exple- 
tives or irrelevant matter — that the language be unadulterated— the 
prosody correct — and the elisions of syllables be avoided. Now 
among the one hundred and forty Englynion upon this subject, many 
fair examples have been offered, which do not include the subject 
by name : they were, therefore, laid aside. Others are replete with 
elisions, which though allowable to a certain extent in a poem of 
some length, are yet to be considered as blemishes in an Englyn of 



14 

the short compass of thirty syllables." After some further criteria 
on the requisites of Englynion, the judges decided the premium in 
favour of " Eryr Gwernabwy" who, being called upon to make his 
appearance ' stood confessed' in the person of " Bardd Nantglyn" 
Mr. Robert Davies. He was then invested by Lady Harriet Wynn 
with the medal, upon which was engraved a Balloon emerging from 
a mass of dark clouds into an atmosphere of refulgent brightness. — 
He then stood forward and recited the successful Englynion, which 
will be found in the subsequent pages among the Prize Poems, and is 
considered a choice specimen of Welsh epigrammatic poetry. 

The next presentation (which does not appear in the list published) 
was a splendid silver medal, value five guineas, the gift of the Den- 
bigh Literary Society, to the Rev. Richard Newcome, the talent- 
ed Warden of Ruthin, for his History of Denbigh Castle. The 
Rev. Gentleman, who was invested with the medal by the Hon. 
Miss Bagot, expressed his sense of the honour in suitable terms. 
He observed that he was indebted for any merit which this produc- 
tion might be thought to possess to the great kindness of a noble- 
man, (we believe Lord Bagot) whom he had the happiness to see 
present on this occasion, and from whose valuable collection of 
M.S.S. he had extracted much of the most valuable part of his ma- 
terials. That nobleman was endeared to all who had the honour of 
his acquaintance, or the happiness to reside in the same part of the 
country, by the many virtues with which he was adorned. ( Ap- 
plause.) And, as the descendant of " Hosanau Gleision" (John 
Salusbury) so celebrated for his defence of Denbigh Castle in the 
days of anarchy and rebellion in which he lived, he was justly enti- 
tled to the respect of every true Welshman. (Loud cheers.) The 
Rev. Gentleman concluded by observing, that the value of the 
medal was greatly enhanced by the fair hand from which he had re- 
ceived it. 

The best Cywydd, in Welsh, on Buddug, (Boadicea, Queen of 
the Iceni) held out a premium of seven guineas, and a medal of 
the value of three guineas. The report of the judges upon this 
subject (Messrs. W. Davies, Blackwell, and A. Owen) was con- 
veyed in the following terms : — " Six competitors have entered the 
lists. Merddyn Emrys, JRhydderch, and Brasydoc, appear in the 
first rank ; and Cynfelyn, Biglyn, and Anhysbys, bring up the rear. 
We adjudge the medal to Merddyn Emrys." Upon a call for the 
author, the Rev. Mr. Hughes, of Bodfarry, presented himself, 



15 

and received from the meeting repeated greetings of applause. Mrs. 
Heaton, of Plas Heaton, having invested him with the medal, the 
Rev. Gentleman addressed the assembly as follows : 

" Mr. President, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, — Honoured 
as I am on the present occasion, and called upon as I am by the 
ancient custom of these festivals, as well as the ardent feelings of a 
truly Welsh heart, to express my sense of that honour, I can only 
regret my inability to do justice to those feelings. (Applause.) It 
is unnecessary for me, in an enlightened assembly like this, where 
all are so well acquainted with every thing relating to these meet- 
ings, to enter into a detail of the origin and object of Eisteddfodau ; 
let it suffice, that these meetings were designed, and are well calcu- 
lated to promote and cherish the poetry, music, and general litera- 
ture of Cambria, and to kindle in the breasts of her sons an ardent 
and enthusiastic love of their country. (Loud cheers.) This is my 
answer to all the objections that can be urged against their utility, 
and that keeping up and propagating, at the present day, the an- 
cient British language. (Cheers.) The elements of that language, 
according to Sir W. Jones, whose extensive travels and deep re- 
searches afforded excellent opportunities of judging, and rendered 
his opinions most valuable, enters into the composition of every 
tongue in Europe, and in many of those of the distant regions of 
Asia ; and is, in all probability, one of the three tongues into which 
the primitive language of the world was divided. (Applause.) It 
is not, gentlemen, in my estimation, the least valuable feature in 
the advantages of the Welsh language, that it has been the means 
of preserving the peasantry of the Principality from the pestilent 
contamination of such writers as Paine, Hone, Carlisle, and I will 
even add Cobbett ! (Applause and laughter.) In every period of 
popular excitement and commotion in England, Wales has ever re- 
mained in a state of peaceable subordination. No tumultuous as- 
semblages were ever seen on her hills — no cry of disaffection re- 
sounded through her vallies — and while other parts of the kingdom 
required the presence and occasional interference of the military, 
to keep the people in subjection to the laws, a few constables alone 
have been sufficient to preserve the peace and good order of the 
Principality. (Much cheering.) When we contemplate the natural 
advantages of our country, we have abundant cause to be thankful 
to the giver of all good. The water from our green hills trickles 
down and fertilizes the smiling valleys beneath ; clothing them in 
luxuriant verdure, and causing them to bring forth in abundance the 
fruits of the earth. If we cannot compete in wealth, arising from 



16 

extensive commerce and manufactures, with our neighbours in 
England, we are rich in the natural products of our soil ; and we 
cannot forget that we are blessed with every comfort and conve- 
nience that can promote human happiness. (Loud applause.) If 
we cannot boast of such stupendous monuments of human skill and 
industry, and antient splendour, as the great wall of China, the 
pyramids of Egypt, or the ruins of Palmyra, we can point with 
exultation to those beautiful structures, the Menai and Conway 
bridges, as a triumphant specimen of the state of the arts and 
sciences amongst us." ( Cheering.) The Rev. Gentleman in con- 
clusion dwelt upon the courage and heroism displayed by their fore- 
fathers, as a subject deserving of being kept in perpetual remem- 
brance.— The Roman legions, invincible in every other part of the 
world where they made their appearance, could never conquer the 
ancient Britons ; and even the first Edward could only effect or pre- 
serve his conquests by courting the friendship and conciliating the 
temper of their ancestors. The loyalty of the Welsh people was 
proverbial, and they would yield to no part of the empire in love 
to the Sovereign or obedience to the laws. Reverting again to their 
ancient language, and the powerful influence its cultivation had in 
producing the advantages he had named, he would merely say, 
Esto perpetua ! ( Loud and long continued cheering.) 

The next subject to be disposed of was the best English Essay, 
containing " An Historical Account of the Flintshire Castles" for 
which was offered a premium of seven guineas and a medal of the 
value of three guineas. The Rev. R. Newcome delivered the 
opinion of the judges (the Rev. H. Parry, of Llanasa, and himself) 
upon the merits of the four Essays sent in on this subject. He said, 
•' We are of opinion that these Essays are written in a most mas- 
terly manner, and that they would do credit to the members of a 
learned University. But as the one with the signature of " Buddig" 
contains some very curious and new information upon the subject, 
we give that Essay the preference. The other three are on an 
equality, and are so excellent that we cannot help suggesting to the 
Committee the propriety of presenting each with such medals as 
their funds will afford." — The successful candidate proved to be 
Miss Angharad Llwyd, and Miss Mostyn was invested with the 
medal as her substitute. The other three competitors were requested 
to avow themselves, when H. Maxwell, Esq. of Denbigh, and Mr. 
Edward Parry, of Chester, stood forward ; the third we understand 
was the Rev. Mr. Probart of Bolton, who had already gained no 



17 

less than eight prizes and medals. Miss Llwyd intends publishing 
her Essay, in a Pamphlet ; the Committee, therefore, favoured the 
Publisher with the one written by Mr. Parry, and which will be 
found in the following pages. 

The subject next for decision, was, for the best Cywydd, or 
" Diolchgar ac anfarwol Goffadwriaeth am y Gwasanaeth a ivnaeth 
Owain Myfyr iw wldd drwy goleddu ei Hiaith, a chasglu ynghyd lawer 
o hen Ysgrifeniadau Cymreig oedd ar wasgar, ac yn debyg on colli? 
(To the immortal memory of Mr. Owen Jones, for the service he 
rendered to the literature of his country.) The premium assigned 
to the successful competitor by the committee was three guineas ; 
to which an additional two guineas were added by Mr. R. Llwyd, of 
Chester. — The Rev. Mr. Hughes read the adjudication of this prize, 
the judges of which were the Rev. R. Williams, of Meifod, and the 
Rev. Mr. Richards, of Caerwys ; their decision was as follows : 
" Of the Poems upon Owain Myfyr, three, by Cofiadur, Peryddon, 
and Ap Cyridwen, possess great merit, and exhibit undoubted 
marks of poetical genius. The latter, perhaps, has more of the 
genuine simplicity and wild peculiarities of Welsh Bardism, and 
probably would be preferred by the Welsh Bards in general. His 
lines, from 80 to 100 are eminently beautiful. But we prefer Cof- 
iadur, as exhibiting more taste, a better plan, and a happier ar- 
rangement, combined with much elegance of diction. We could 
easily cite many instances. His idea of the earlier Bards rising in 
review, with all their respective peculiarities, at the command of 
Owain Myfyr, is singularly happy and well managed. In general, 
our Welsh poems are defective in their plan — and the arrangement 
of their matter, and therefore encouragement should be given to 
those who improve in this respect. The adoption of Cqfiadurs 
poem, will, in our opinion, reflect credit upon the Eisteddfod, which 
has awakened the energies of his A wen." Cofiadur was called for, 
and he appeared in the person of Samuel Evans, of Caerwys, who 
received the congratulations of the company. 

The prize for the best Welsh Essay on " Anghenrheidrwydd Cyf- 
raith i gynnal moesau da" (the necessity of law for the moral restraint 
of the people) a premium of seven guineas, and a medal of the value 
of three guineas. To the successful composition for this prize a 
most handsome tribute was paid by the judges. The candidates 
were twelve in number, but the successful one, bearing the 
cognomen of Solon, the Rev. Samuel Roberts, of Llanbrynmair, 

D 



18 

not appearing, the medal was, pro tempore, given to Mr. Edward 
Parry, of Chester, who was invested by Miss Shipley. The medal 
represents the hand of Divine Justice holding the scales equally 
poised from the clouds ; the scrolls denote the legislative power, the 
fasces and sword the executive. 

For " the best collection of the unpublished Welsh Pennillion," the 
premium of five guineas was awarded to Cofiadur, Absalom Roberts, 
of Llanrwst. The number of Pennillion produced by this collector 
amounted to 816. 

Some Pennillion singing was now introduced, in order to diversify 
the entertainment. The blind harper of Llangollen swept the 
strings, while several of the Dadgeiniaid sang repeated rounds, and 
were much applauded. 

The royal medal of the Metropolitan Cymmrodorion for the best 
Poem in Welsh, on " Cantref Gwaelod" (the Lowland Hundred) 
was awarded to " Elydr Lydanwyn" (Wm. Rees, of Llansannan) 
who was invested with this honourable distinction by Lady Harriet 
Wynn. 

The Grwyneddigion medal for the best Welsh Poem, on "Amaeth- 
yddiaeth," (Agriculture) was adjudged to the Rev. Edward Hughes, 
of Eodfarry, who was invested by the Hon. Mrs. Madocks. 

The Denbigh Welsh Literary Society's Medal of the value of five 
pounds for the best Welsh Awdl, to the memory of the late Rev. 
Goronwy Owen, was not awarded, for though there were several 
candidates, their merits were not considered to be entitled to any 
reward. For the same reason, the prize of five guineas for the best 
Catalogue of Welsh M.S.S. was withheld. 

The next and most interesting subject for adjudication was for 
the best Awdl, in Welsh, on " Gwledd Belsassar" (Belshazzar's 
Feast.) This was the first and principal prize, being a premium of 
ten guineas, and a medal of the value of five guineas. On this sub- 
ject, said the judges, " the number of candidates amount to eighteen, 
out of which twelve appear to be tolerable compositions. Out of 
the twelve, some rank in the first class, some in the second, some 
under the line, and some again are of the * Oi Poltoi.' The chair, 
in our opinion, belongs to a volumnious writer, who in his ' furor,' 
scarcely knows when or where to halt, and has signed his name 



19 

" Belteshazzar." We have given him the cognomen Second, as a 
brother candidate of his has assumed the same signature. The parts 
in which he excels, are the following : — the lamentations of the cap- 
tive tribes of Judah and Benjamin, when their harps were hung 
upon the willows of the rivers of Babylon — Aurora, on the tiptoe, 
gilding the Assyrian sky on the morning of Bel's anniversary — the 
Bardd Teulu of the Babylonian dynasty, whilst his hands awake to 
ecstacy the living lyre, chaunts in unison the celestial pedigree of 
the monarch of the world — the blasphemous oration of the Eastern 
Despot, who ' made the earth tremble.' This is a master-piece of 
its kind — and might challenge comparison with that of the Prince of 
fallen Angels in Milton's Pandsemonium ; — when Blasphemy was 
at its acme, Solyma's sacred utensils profaned to the honour of the 
Colossal Golden- God in the centre of the Hall — Lo ! all of a sudden, 
the myriad luminous lights of the massy chandeliers dwindle into a 
bluish glimmering, just sufficient for the thousand lords of the Baby- 
lonian empire to discover their monarch's distress — his convulsive 
agony at the ominous appearance of the ' Hand upon the Wall,' 
writing < Mene — mene, Tekel,' &c. The dotted breaks in the last 
part of Belshazzar's vaunting speech, are admirably conceived to 
delineate the horrors which had taken possession of the blasphemous 
monarch's mind, so as utterly to paralyze his powers of utterance. 
We consider this part of the Ode in itself sufficient to have gained 
the prize, were all the rest obliterated." The author of the compo- 
sition was called for, but not appearing, Mr. Edward Parry, of 
Chester, advanced, and said, the composition was that of the Rev. 
Evan Evans, of Chester, who was necessarily detained from attend- 
ing the meeting by other engagements. [The announcement of Mr. 
Evans's name was accompanied with shouts of applause.] Mr. 
Blackwell was invested with the medal by Lady Mostyn, as the 
proxy of his friend, Mr. Evans, and conducted to the Bardic chair 
in triumph, amid the shouts of the assembly. The chair, which had 
hitherto been vacant on the platform, was decorated with oak leaves 
and blue ribbons, and was the identical one in which the famed Bard, 
Twm or Nant, was installed at St. Asaph, 1791. 

Mr. Blackwell then presented himself to the notice of the meeting, 
and returned thanks for his absent friend in most eloquent, feeling, 
and affectionate terms, nearly as follows : — " I regret, that on this 
occasion, I am only a representative. My academical avocations, 
and the task imposed upon me as one of the adjudicators, would not 
allow me to aspire to any higher character ; but I am glad that I 
now stand the representative of a school-fellow and a friend, who, 




20 

like myself, is indebted to a benevolent hand for an introduction to 
the light of public notice from the obscure paths of life. (Immense 
cheering.) I shall take care to tell him of the applause with which 
his name was greeted, and that by the badge with which I have just 
been invested, his country has enlisted him in her service — that 
from henceforth every throb of his heart, and every faculty of his 
soul, is exclusively to be dedicated to the literature and the general 
interests of his native hills. ( Cheers.) Many things conspire to 
make this one of the happiest days of my life. I am surrounded by 
Beirdd and Ofyddion, whom I venerate, and by Patrons, to whom I 
owe every thing in life. I wish such a day would last a hundred 
years. ( Cheering.) At these meetings, the patrons and the patro- 
nised come in collision — here the patrons greet their protegees with 
approving smiles, and the patronised, after sitting and toiling at 
magazines and their pamphlets, ' report progress and ask leave to 
sit again.' (Applause.) It is a fact not generally known beyond 
the confines of the Principality, that our monthly press issues out no 
fewer than fourteen periodicals, and, what is an anomaly in the his- 
tory of literature, to the pages of these the peasantry are almost the 
only contributors. ( Great Applause.) And what has been the re- 
sult ? Look to our cottages ; there is scarcely a shelf without its 
magazine and its bible. (Cheers.) Indeed were I requested to 
point out the most striking feature of the Principality, I would not 
speak of the wooded glen that echoes the sounding cataract, or the 
blue lake that chequers the mountain scenery. I would mention 
none of Nature's beauties — nor would I allude to the stupendous 
works of art that link our shores — 1 would fix my finger upon a 
bold, virtuous, and intelligent peasantry, who love their God and 
honour their king (Loud Cheers) — a peasantry with whom justice 
has sometimes to adjust her balance, but seldom to exert her sword. 
( Three distinct rounds of applause followed this beautiful climax,) 
Should any thing more than another make my present situation 
pleasing, it is that I am seated in a chair — the spoil of one of Twm 
o'r Nan£s bardic contests — but I am sorry that even this classic sta- 
tion has not enabled me to return in a better manner the greetings 
with which, as my friend's locem tenens, you have been pleased to 
receive me. 

As a tribute to humble merit, and genius struggling with adver- 
sity, we cannot refrain from quoting the opinion of the judges on 
the composition of ' CatwgJ one of the candidates for the premier 
prize. " We cannot but lament" (said they) " that so beautiful, 



2i 

versified, and correct a writer as " Catwg" should go unrewarded. 
His poem is of the moderate length of 498 lines — has but very few 
blemishes, and the only reason of his not succeeding to the chair is 
his being, in our opinion, only inferior in some happy thoughts and 
expressions to the successful candidate." — The allusion was to 
Griffith Williams, a bard in the humble station of a labourer in the 
Caernarvon slate quarries, with a wife and a large family, solely de- 
pendent on him for support, and of most exemplary conduct and 
demeanour. He had borne away three prizes at Rhuddlan, Caer- 
marthen, and on a subject proposed by the London Gwyneddigion. 
It would be an act of genuine patriotism to cut asunder the trammels 
in which this poor bard is bound, and, in some measure, to relieve 
him from the load of worldly care by which his genius is borne down 
and crippled, in the gloomy reflection that upon the sweat of his 
brow alone, and the inadequate — perhaps precarious — remuneration 
for his daily labour, his wife and little ones are dependent for sub- 
sistence. 

The Rev. Henry Parry (the stated business of the day being 
now over) informed the meeting that a premium of £5 had been 
offered in one of the Welsh Magazines, for the best Elegy on the 
death of the late lamented Bishop Heber ; and that Mr. Richards, 
of Caerwys, and himself, were decidedly of opinion that the premium 
was due to " Galarwr Glan Isis" (Banks of the Isis) whom he had 
great pleasure in announcing to the assembly was that talented gen- 
tleman — Mr. Blackwell— to whose exertions the present festival 
was so greatly indebted (loud applause followed the announcement.) 

Mr. Blackwell addressed the meeting both in the ancient British 
and the English language. At the close of his address, he announc- 
ed that a premium of five sovereigns would be given the following 
morning for the best Englynion on the visit of the Duke of Sussex ; 
and a premium of one sovereign for the best on the coming of age 
of Sir Stephen Richard Glynne, Bart. 

Sir W. W. Wynn, after pronouncing a panegyric as warm as it 
was well merited upon the zeal and ability of their worthy President, 
proposed the thanks of the meeting for his services, which was 
passed by acclamation ; and was followed by the waving of hats and 
handkerchiefs for several minutes. 

Sir Edward returned thanks, in terms exceeding (if possible) the 
ardour and feeling he displayed at the opening of the meeting ; and 
concluded by proposing " three cheers for the ladies" — without whom, 
he said, nature would be a void, and life not worth possessing ; and 



22 

to whose kind attendance this national festival owed much of the 
eclat with which it was celebrated. The gallantry of the worthy 
Baronet was most warmly seconded by the male part of the audi- 
tory, and it was several minutes before the applause subsided. 

The company then separated about three o'clock ; some to pro- 
menade on the green, where the Royal Denbigh Band, which played 
at intervals during the day, continued to make their well-tuned in- 
struments " discourse most eloquent music" for about an hour 
longer. 

The ordinary at the Crown Inn was well-attended, where the host, 
Mr. Green, had provided abundance of the good things of this life, 
to entertain his guests. Venison and game were in profuse abund- 
ance, being most liberally supplied to both the Bull and the Crown 
Inns, by the worthy proprietor of Kinmel Park. Dr. Jones, the 
active Secretary of the committee, presided, and the vice chair was 
filled by the Rev. E. Williams, of Llanrhaiadr. The utmost convivi- 
ality prevailed throughout the evening. 

THE CONCERT. 

The Miscellaneous Concert at the Town Hall in the evening, was 
numerously and fashionably attended; the room was, in fact, a 
bumper. A well-contrived orchestra, with a platform in front, was 
constructed at the upper end of the room, having a convenient recess 
for the accommodation of the performers when not engaged on the 
platform. The selections were most judicious, and were highly cre- 
ditable to the good taste of Mr. Parry, ( u JBardd Alaw" ) the con- 
ductor. They consisted principally either of some of the most po- 
pular songs, glees, and chorusses now extant, or of the most favourite 
national melodies of Cambria. The performers seemed to vie with 
each other in their exertions to give effect to the several parts as- 
signed them. The whole went off extremely well. 



WEDNESDAY the Yith SEPTEMBER, 1828. 

This morning was delightfully fair and clear, and although much 
company had arrived the preceding day, the town was now literally 
crammed. At eight o'clock the Bards were summoned to the Town 
Hall, where the successful Poems and Essays were read with ad- 
mirable effect, and much applauded. At the time appointed for the 
visit of the Duke of Sussex, the Corporation left town to meet his 



23 

Royal Highness, and proceeding to the confines, in the following 
order, awaited his arrival : — 

Band. 

Members of three Friendly Societies, two and two. 

Royal Denbigh Band. 

The Bards and Minstrels. 

The Harp 

decorated with ribbons and borne by two men. 

Members of the Denbigh Literary Society, with banner, staves, and rosettes. 

Members of the Cymmrodorion Society, banner, staves, and rosettes. 

The Corporation of Denbigh. 

Beadle. 

Mace Bearers. 

Capital Burgesses, two and two. 

John Copner Williams, Esq. Deputy Recorder. 

Thos. Hughes, Esq. Bailiff. David Hughes, Esq. Bailiff. 

John Hughes, Esq. Alderman. John Parry, Esq. Alderman. 

The Recorder, J. Wynn Griffith, Esq. 

Members of the Committee, two and two. 

R. P. Jones, Esq. M . D. Honorary Secretary. 

The Vice-Presidents. 

Sir W. W. W,n D> BMt|™E PRMIDENT,^ John HeatoDj Esquire 

A long train of Gentlemen, two and two. 
Carriages, &c. 
On his Royal Higlmess's approach, the Recorder addressed him 
in the following terms : — " May it please your Royal Highness, as 
Recorder of this Borough I am deputed by the Aldermen, Bailiffs, 
and Capital Burgesses, to present to your Royal Highness their 
dutiful and loyal Address, upon your Royal Highness's visit to the 
Principality, and to express to your Royal Highness how highly 
they appreciate your condescension in honouring them with your 
presence at the National Festival this day. With your Royal 
Highness's permission, I will read the Address." 

" TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF SUSSEX. 

" Sir, — We, the Aldermen, Bailiffs, and Capital Burgesses, of the Borough 
of Denbigh, assembled by special Convocation, beg leave to congratulate your 
Royal Highness upon your arrival in the Principality. Anxious upon all occa- 
sions to testify our loyalty and attachment to the House of Brunswick, under 
whose mild and constitutional sway we have enjoyed so many blessings, we eagerly 
embrace the opportunity which your Royal Highness's visit to us has fortunately 
afforded, to present your Royal Highness, in the most respectful terms, the 
Freedom of our ancient Corporation, as the most appropriate token of personal 
regard for so distinguished a member of the Royal Family we have it in our 
power to confer. 

" It would have been particularly gratifying to us upon any occasion to have 
marked your Royal Highness's visit to our ancient Borough with every possible 



24 

respect, but under the peculiar circumstances which now occur, we feel impe- 
ratively bound to acquit ourselves of that obligation by an ardent feeling of 
gratitude for the truly courteous and liberal spirit in which your Royal Highness 
has condescended to honour our national Festival, or Eisteddfod, with your pre- 
sence, and by that means so powerfully contributed to increase in splendour and 
effect those popular attractions which must ensure its eventual success, and thus 
promote the combined objects for which this and other meetings of a similar kind 
have been really revived. 

" Signed and passed under the seal of the Corporation, at the Council Cham- 
ber of and in the said Borough, the tenth day of September, 1828. 

(Signed) « J. W. GRIFFITH, Recorder." 

The Learned Recorder then proceeded : — " I am also instructed 
by the Members of the Convocation to convey to your Royal High- 
ness their warmest acknowledgments for this high mark of your 
Royal Highness's respect, and to present your Royal Highness in 
this box the freedom of this ancient borough, which is the highest 
compliment they have in their power to confer. I feel particularly 
proud that I have been selected to address your Royal Highness 
upon the present occasion ; as it gives me an opportunity of testify- 
ing my respect for your Royal Highness, by personally expressing 
the high sense I entertain of your Royal Highness's public and 
private virtues." 

The Recorder then presented his Royal Highness with the free- 
dom of the Borough in an elegant Gold Box, upon which was en- 
graved the following Englyn : — 

" Ar ymweliadei Riawl Uckelder, Dug Sussecs, yn Eisteddfod Dinbyck, 
ar y I6eg, lleg, a ISfed ofis Medi, 1828. 
Trwydd Dinbych, deg anrhegiad, — gwiw estyn. 
I Augustus benllad, 
Am ei haelaf ymweliad 
A Gwledd barddoni ein gwlad." 

His Royal Highness then read the following reply : — 

** Aldermen, Bailiffs, and Capital Burgesses of the Borough of Denbigh— Gen- 
tlemen, I thank you for your congratulations on my arrival in the Principality. 

" I am fully sensible of the compliment paid to my person by conferring on me 
the freedom of your ancient Corporation, accompanied with the assurances of 
your loyalty to our most gracious Sovereign, (whom may God long preserve !) 
and of your attachment to the House of Brunswick. 

" Born and educated in those principles which placed my family upon the 
throne of these realms, it has ever been my most anxious wish to mix with my 
fellow subjects, and to participate with them in all those festivities that tend to 
commemorate and keep up a spirit of liberty and national independence, which 
we have sworn to maintain with our lives. 

" Among the many institutions of this kind, the Eisteddfod is the most ancient; 
and therefore I am delighted in being permitted to witness a scene which must be 



2S 

highly interesting to all well-wishers of their country, and most particularly gra- 
tifying to the inhabitants of the Principality, amongst whom I have the peculiar 
happiness to find myself upon the present occasion. 

(Signed) " AUGUSTUS FREDERICK." 

The procession then returned through the town with the band 
playing " God save the King" and proceeded to the Bowling Green 
in the Castle, amidst the waving of handkerchiefs from the ladies in 
the windows, and the shouts of the multitude which lined the streets. 
His Royal Highness kept his hat off all the time, bowing most con- 
descendingly to all around. On ascending the platform, his Royal 
Highness was again greeted by the waving of hats and handker- 
chiefs for several minutes, and was conducted to his seat by the 
President. 

The proceedings commenced by Mr. Parry singing the celebrated 

national song of his own composition, " Oh let the Kind Minstrel" 

with the following additional stanza, in honour of the Royal Duke, 

which he composed on the spur of the moment, the previous evening: 

Long life to the Prince from whose generous heart 

The stream of sweet charity silently flows ; 
Who fosters the progress of Science and Art, 
Whose presence a lustre on Cambria bestows : 
In strains of past ages, Oh ! let us all sing, 
Till CltvyoTs mighty mountains responsively ring, 
To welcome the Brother of Britain's good King. 
His Royal Highness appeared to be highly gratified with this 
out-pouring of Cambrian gratitude and loyalty, and bowed repeat- 
edly while it was being sung, all the company joining in the chorus. 
Mr. Parry presented the Royal visitor with a copy of the song, 
which his Royal Highness was pleased to receive most graciously. 

The following Pennill on the occasion by Robert Davies, the 
celebrated Bard of Nantglyn, was also recited : — 
Balch yw Cymru weled Llin 

Ei Brenin ar ei bronydd, 
Yn talu teg ymweliad da 

Eisteddfod bena'r gwledydd ; 
Ei Enw fydd ar ucha'r fainc 

Tra chof, tra chainc, tra Phrydydd. 
Translation. — Wales is proud to behold a relative of her King 
honouring her Grand Eisteddfod with his presence ; his name will 
be cherished while memory lasts, song records, or bard exists. 
E 



26 

The successful competitor for the prize of two sovereigns for the 
hest Englynion on the Royal Duke's visit, was declared to he Catwg, 
who, heing called upon to avow himself, proved to he Griffith 
Williams, of Llandegai, Caernarvonshire, who advanced and recited 
the following composition : — 

Y ban a difalch hendefig — astud, 
Sef Augustus Ffrederic ; 
Rhydd y daeth, heh arwydd dig, 
I noddi 'r iaith Wyneddig. 

Croesaw, mawr groesaw i'r grasol — Funer, 
A fo yn feunyddiol ; 
Ei glod am ryddid gwladol 
Erys yn wir oesau 'n ol. 

Wele, yn awr yn ein Blaenorion — Sior, 
A'i siriol frawd tirion, 
Dueddiad i'w henwlad hon, 
Ac i noddi Gwyneddion. 

Ha ! gwir aerod i goron ! — ein ceraint, 
Ac ein carwyr ffyddlon, 
Dianach o waed union 
Tewdwr, a meib Tudur M 6n. 

Catwg. 
Griffith Williams, or Gutyn Peris. 

Mr. Blackwell then read the following literal Translation : — " The 
exalted hut condescending Prince — the literary Augustus Frederick. 
Free he comes, where rancour is banished, to patronize the language 
of Gwynedd. 

Let us proclaim our loftiest welcome to the gracious Lord ; let 
future ages tell his love of constitutional liberty. 

See, now, our own chiefs — George and his brother, in whom kind- 
ness smiles. They have an inclination to this their ancient country, 
and to cherish the choice things of Gwynedd. 

Right heirs of the crown — our own relations — our faithful friends ! 
Spotless from Tewdwrs noble blood — sons of Mona's Tudor !" 

The reading was followed by a burst of applause, and the bard 
presented the Englynion to the Royal Duke, who expressed his 
acknowledgments. 

Then followed the subjoined Englyn, on the coming of age of Sir 



27 

Stephen Glynne, for which a premium of two guineas had been 
offered. 

Yr Englyn Buddugol ar ddyfodiad Syr Stephen Glyn, xw oed. 
Syr Steven Glyn (perthyn i'w parthau— lonwych 
Lawenydd yn ddiiau) 
Daeth y gwr doeth-gu eiriau 
I'w lawn oed, gwnawn lawenhau. 

Myfyr, or John Owen, Holywell. ( 

The following Acrostic address to the Royal Duke was also com- 
posed on the occasion by the bard whose name it bears : — 
A wake ! my muse, attune the British lyre, 
U prise, and issue forth poetic fire ; 
G reet now a Prince who will not disregard 
U npolish'd verses from a Cambrian bard ; 
S trains of extatic joy and lofty flights 
T he presence of the Royal Duke excites : 
U nto our Congress, Knights are come, and Peers ; 
S hall we not hail the day with echoing cheers ! 

F estivities with such refulgent rays 
R ome never held in her most glorious days ; 
E ffusions of the Cambrian muse shall please 
D ukes, Princes, Ladies, Lords, and all degrees : 
E ncomiums of the highest notes shall ring, 
R esounding sweetly from each bardic string ; 
I ncreasing splendour, honours, and rewards, 
C rown us, and Royalty our cause regards ; 
K ings will henceforward patronize the bards. 

D iffusive are the pleasures we enjoy ; 
U nfeigned praises shall our tongues employ ; 
K ind patrons will the lovely muse inspire ; 
E ncouragement brings forth the latent fire ; 

O lympiads of the Cambrian rites will raise 
F ine geniuses, well vers'd in odes of praise. 

S uccess to all who patronize our cause, 

U p then, and greet them with a loud applause ! 

S alute the Royal Duke with thundering cheers ; 

S end forth resounding peals for Knights and Peers ; 

E nforce your voices all with life and glee ; 

X press your rapturous joy, with three times three f 

P. Jones, Liverpool. 



28 

And now came on the contest for the Silver Harp. The com- 
petitors were as under : 

Richard Pugh, of Dolgellau, who played Difyrwck y Brenin, or 
the King's Delight.-— Edward Jones, of Llangollen (blind) who 
played Pen Bkaw. [During his performance, the Duke of Sussex 
emphatically said, " How beautiful !"] — Hugh Pugh, of Dolgellau, 
Nds Galan, with variations. — John Roberts, Mold, Difyrwck y 
Brenin. — Edward Humphreys, Welshpool, Merck Megan, or Mar- 
garet's Daughter. — Richard Jones, Llangollen, Sweet Richard. 

After a fair trial of skill, Edward Jones, (the blind harper) 
was declared victor, and was invested with the medal by Lady 
Mostyn. 

The Judges to decide on the merits of the performers in this prize, 
as well as the one following, were the Hon. Mrs. Cunliffe, Mr. 
Aneurin Owen Pugh, and Mr. Parry, the conductor, who concurred 
in recommending that a medal should be presented to Hugh Pugh, 
and Richard Jones, two boys of very great promise. 

The Rev. T. Price, of Crickhowel, Radnorshire, in announcing 
the contest for the Gold Harp, took occasion to address the meeting 
at considerable length. The Rev. gentleman commenced with a 
warm panegyric upon the powers and sweetness of this national 
instrument. He had heard the light and airy vibrations of the guitar 
of the south — the war song of " the wolf" of the northern nations — 
" Come to me and I'll give you flesh" — the inspiriting pibroch or 
Donald Ddu, and the highland clans ; — the martial drums and 
trumpets of England : but none had the soul-stirring powers of the 
Welsh Harp, in rousing to deeds of valour, or kindling a poetic fire 
in the breasts of all who heard it. Even the melodies of Erin, 
breathed * in dying sounds her green hills among,' and in which the 
prevalence of the minor third and the flat seventh cast a shade of 
melancholy over even her liveliest strains ; — even those were less 
plaintive, and less calculated to calm the ruffled passions and soothe 
the soul to peace, than were the " native woodnotes wild" of Cam- 
bria's lyre, touched by the skilful hand of her minstrels. The 
thrilling tones of the Welsh Harp now heard within the ancient 
walls of the Denbigh Castle, and in the presence of a member of the 
Royal family, were calculated, at once, to revive in the mind of every 
Welshman the recollection of the ancient glories of Cambria in the 
days of her Owens, her Llywelyns, and her Tudor s ; and to con- 
trast her situation then with what it was at present under the mild 
and constitutional sway of the House of Brunswick. Cambrians 



29 

were ever grateful for the blessings they enjoyed under the dominion 
of that Royal House ; and their loyalty to it ever was, and ever 
would be, firm and unshaken. Thus it was, that while some of the 
other portions of the British empire continued to be rent with in- 
testine broils, and presented a scene of tumult and confusion bor- 
dering upon rebellion, the sons of Cambria were contented and 
happy, engaged in singing Penillion — reviving their national fes- 
tivals — and cultivating the language and literature of the ancient 
Britons. He congratulated his countrymen upon an occupation at 
once so peaceable and so rational as that in which they were now 
engaged ; and he was of opinion that the aristocracy and gentry of 
the country were promoting its best interests in giving encourage- 
ment to these national meetings. The Rev. Gentleman concluded 
an eloquent and effective address, in the course of which he was 
often interrupted by the loud plaudits of the assembled multitude, 
by pronouncing the following Englyn, on the Harp, which obtained 
the prize on a former occasion : — 

Plethiadau tannau tynnion — Y delyn 

Fr dilesg feddylion, 

Odlau Saint yw adlais hon, 

Llais neu fawl llys nefolion. 

The grand contest for the Gold Harp now took place, for which 
there were only two competitors, viz. Richard Jones, of Liverpool, 
who played " Codiad yr Ehedydd," or the Rising of the Lark ; and 
Richard Roberts, of Caernarvon, who played " Sweet Richard." 
This was a most delightful performance, and afforded great satisfac- 
tion to the lovers of the national instrument. The prize was well 
and ably contested for, but victory was awarded to Richard Roberts, 
who had his honours conferred by the hands of the Royal Duke, to 
whom the successful minstrel acknowledged his obligations. 

The Ordinary at the Bull Inn was very well attended. Dr. 
Jones was in the chair, and the Rev. Ellis Roberts, Llanynys, filled 
the vice chair. 

THE CONCERT. 

The second Concert was brilliantly attended, and went off, if 
possible, with greater eclat than the former one. The performance 
concluded with the national anthem by Miss Stephens, full chorus 
by the company. Mr. Braham also sang the following additional 
verse in Welsh, composed by Dr. Owen Pughe :— 



ao 

Mai haul o dirion des 
Trds Brydain taena les 
Hir oes ein lor ; 
Ein Breintiau, er ein mael 
Areilied ef yn hael 
A delo ini gael, 

Oes hir i Sior ! 
The enthusiasm excited by this verse exceeds all description ; and 
Mr. Braham seemed to participate warmly in it. 



THURSDAY the \%th SEPTEMBER, 1828. 

The only business of the Eisteddfod left unfinished, was the con- 
test, for a premium of three guineas, for the best singer with the 
harp, and a premium of two guineas for the second best. This 
trial of skill took place at the head quarters of the Bards, the Three 
Wolf Heads, before the Rev. R. B. Clough, the Judge. Seven 
competitors appeared, all of whom displayed considerable ability in 
this kind of vocal performance, which is peculiar to the Cymry. — 
The first prize was adjudged to Thomas Edwards, of Corwen, and 
the minor one to Richard Jones. 

THE ORATORIO 

At the Chapel, at twelve o'clock, presented the same display of 
rank and fashion as were present on the Green and at the Concerts. 
To mention the parts of the performance worthy of commendation, 
would be to enumerate every subject. The chorusses were very 
effectively given, particularly Handel's Hailstone Chorus, with 
which the second part was introduced, at the special request of an 
amateur of distinction. 

The Ordinary at the Crown Inn, this day, was pre-eminently 
distinguished ; Sir Edward Mostyn presided. Several excellent 
speeches were given, and the greatest hilarity prevailed. 

THE BALL 

The Town Hall was brilliantly illuminated this evening, and 
crowded with a most elegant company. About ten o'clock the 
Royal Denbigh Band struck up " God save the King," which was 
no sooner heard than all was in motion ; the ladies, superbly dressed, 
formed two columns, and left an opening for his Royal Highness the 



3] 

Duke of Sussex to pass. As he entered, cheers, waving of hand- 
kerchiefs, and clapping of hands ensued, and the Royal visitor ap- 
peared highly pleased ; he remained about two hours, when he de- 
parted, expressing the very great delight he had experienced, and 
passing a high hut deserved compliment on the beauty of Cambria's 
fair daughters. So crowded was the Town Hall, that it was with 
difficulty sufficient room could be found for the dance. The orches- 
tra was occupied by Mr. Stephenson's excellent quadrille band, over 
which the three concluding lines from Mr. Parry's additional stanza 
were inscribed : — 

" In strains of past ages, oh ! let us all sing, 
Till Clwycts mighty mountains responsively ring, 
To welcome the brother of Britain's good King." 
Upon the arrival of the Royal Duke and his party, from Kinmel, 
his Highness was received at the entrance door by the Recorder, 
J. W. Griffith, Esq. R. P. Jones, Esq. M. D. Honorary Secretary, 
and the gentlemen belonging to the Committee, bearing wands, and 
conducted to the upper end of the room, where a carpet was spread, 
on which was placed a chair for the Royal visitor. After the de- 
parture of his Royal Highness, a good part of the company, which 
consisted of upwards of 400 persons, continued the festive dance 
for a considerable time, but the Hall was completely cleared by 
three o'clock in the morning. 

Previous to commencing that part of the present work which will 
contain the Essays and Poems, the Publisher thinks he cannot do 
better, than by subjoining the following list of nobility and gentry, 
whose numbers and respectability will give the reader a tolerably 
correct idea of the splendid attractions of this national fete : — 

His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, Colonel, Mrs. and Miss F. Hughes, 
and the following party from Kinmel — Lady Cecilia Buggin, Prince Cimitelli, 
General and the Hon. Mrs. Fitzroy, Mr. and Mrs. Williams Bulkeley, Mr. and 
Mrs. Dawkins Pennant, and the two Misses Pennant, Mrs. and Miss Payne, Miss 
Clarke, Col. James Hughes, Col. Grey, Mr. Bell, and Mr. Walker.— Sir Watkin 
and Lady Harriet W. Wynn ; Lord Bagot, Hon. W. Bagot, and the Hon. Misses 
Bagot ; Sir Edward and Lady Mostyn, Miss Mostyn, and Mr. Slaughter ; Lord 
and Lady Avonmore; Sir Edward and Lady Pryce Lloyd, Mr. Pryce Lloyd, and 
the Misses Lloyd; Mr. Mostyn, and Lady Harriet Lloyd; Sir John and Lady 
Williams, Mr. Williams, and the Misses Williams ; Lady Glynne, Sir Stephen 
Glynne, the Hon. and Rev. G. N. Grenvilleand Lady Charlotte; the Lord Bishop 
of St. Asaph, the Misses Luxmore, and the Misses CunlifFe ; Sir Frederick and 
Lady Henneker ; the Hon. Mrs. Cunliffe and Mr. Cunliffe ; Sir W. and Lady 
Clarke ; Hon. and Rev. Mr. Legge ; Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. Heaton, Plas Hea- 
ton, and Miss Barnston, Chester; the Hon. Misses Henneker; Mr. and Mrs. 



32 

Maddocks, Glan y Wern ; Mr. Mrs. Mr. and Miss Wynne, Coed-coch ; Col. and 
Mrs. Wynne, Garthewyn; Mr. Wynne Griffith, Garn, Messrs. G. E. W. and Rev. 
F. Griffith ; Mr. Maxwell, Denbigh ; Mr. and Mrs. Mostyn, Calcot Hall ; Mr. 
and Mrs. Pryce, Brynbella; Mr. Mrs. and Miss Lloyd, Rhaggat; Col. Mrs. and 
the Misses Salisbury, Galltfaenan ; the Rev. the Warden of Ruthin, Mrs. New- 
come, and family ; Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, Saithaelwyd ; Mrs. Mr. R. and the 
Misses Yorke, Erddig ; Mr. Price Rhiwlas ; Col. Peers and family, Plasnewydd ; 
Major Howard ; Major and Mrs. Jones, Wepre ; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, Cefn ; 
Mr. and Mrs. Jones Panton, Plas Onn ; Mrs. and Miss Lewis, Glan yr afon ; 
Miss Davies, Nantcribba; Mr. Mrs. and Miss Clough; Mr. Charles Evans; Mr« 
Johnson and Mr. Applethwaite, Linley Hall, Leicestershire ; Mr. R. B. Clough 
and family, Astrad ; Mr. R. B. Clough, Min y Don ; Rev. A. Clough, Mold ; 
Mr. Mrs. and Miss Clough, Gorphwysfa; Mr. Wynne Sparrow, Anglesea; Mr. 
and Mrs. Taylor and family, Lymm ; Mrs. Johnson, Chester ; Mr. and Mrs. Ab- 
lett, Llanbedr Hall ; Mr. Bulkeley, and Mrs. Owen, Tedsmere Hall ; Major and 
Miss Harrison, and Mr. Taylor ; Mr. and Mrs. Downward, Bathafarn ; Mrs. 
Wynne and family, Euarth ; Mr. Evans and party, Cotton Hall; Rev. G. 
Roberts, Bottwnog; Rev. J. Evans, Bottwnog ; Mr. G. Evans, Wigfair; Mr. 
Syers, Liverpool ; Rev. T. Davies, Llanddoged ; Rev. Mr. James, Mold ; Rev. 
Mr. Meredith, Llanferras : Rev. James Hughes, Llangwn ; Rev. E. Evans, Bet- 
twsy Coed; Rev. D. L.Jones, St. Asaph; Rev. Mr. Jenkins, Gwyddelwern; 
Rev. Mr. Jones, Rhiwabon; Mr. Evans, Caermarthen ; Rev. John Roberts, St. 
Asaph; Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and Miss Hughes, Denbigh; Dr. Cumming, 
Dr. and Mrs. Jones, Chester; Dr. R. P.Jones, Denbigh; Mr. and the Misses 
Jones, PlasynLlan; Mr. and Mrs. Wynne Eyton, Leeswood: Mr. and Mrs. 
Bulkeley Owen ; Mr. Lloyd Wynne, Mr. Wynne and family, Coed-coch ; Mr. 
and the Misses Davies, Plas draw ; Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys Jones and family, 
Ruthin ; Mr. and Mrs. G. Roskell and family, Flint ; Mr. Mrs. and Miss Naylor, 
Plas Clough ; Mr. Vaughan, Nannau ; Mr. and Mrs. Beevor, Cefn-cdch ; Mr. 
Kenrick, Merthyn ; Mr. Jones Panton, Handyfnan ; Miss Foulkes, Eriviatt ; 
Rev. E. Thelwell, and Mr. B. Thelwell ; the Misses Peel and party, Dolhyfryd : 
Mr. and the Misses Garnons, Colomendy ; Dr. Williams, Denbigh ; Mr. and 
Mrs. Marsdea and family ; the Messrs. Panton, Anglesea ; the Misses Howarth, 
Denbigh ; Mr. and Mrs. Sankey, Holywell; Mr. Gibson; Mr. Williamson, Green- 
field; Mr. Griffith, Chester; Mr. and Mrs. O. Foulkes, Chester; Mr. Sheriff 
Titley, Chester ; Rev. Thomas Wynne Edwards, Rhuddlan ; Mr. and Mrs. Jeyes, 
London; Mr. Roberts, Coppy, and the Misses Roberts ; Mr. Sankey, Denbigh; 
Mr. J. C.Williams, Denbigh; Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Llanychan; Mr. and 
Miss Twisden, Denbigh ; Rev. Charles Clough, Mold ; Mr. Alderman Hughes, 
and T.Hughes. Denbigh; Rev. J. Jones, Llanfair; Rev. J. and Mrs. Owen, 
Conway ; Rev. R. Chambres and family, Llys-meirchion ; Rev. F. and Mrs. 
Owen; Rev. W. M. Williams, Flint; Rev. T. Hughes, Llanbedr; Rev. H. 
Parry, Llanasa; Dr. OwenPughe; Mr. A. O. Pughe ; Rev. Mr. Hughes, Bod- 
farry; Rev. T. Price, Crickhowel; Rev. E. Williams, Llangernew ; Rev. G. 
and Mrs. Strong ; Rev. W. J. Rees ; Rev. J. Williams, Beaumaris ; Miss Angharad 
Llwyd ; Rev. Mr. Trevor, Caernarvon ; Mr. Bythel, St. Asaph ; Rev. J. Jones, 
Denbigh; Mr. Alderman Parry and Mr. R. Parry, Denbigh; Mr. and Mrs. 
Humphreys, St. Asaph; Miss Williams, Holywell; Mr. J. Eyton, Flint; Miss 
Phillips ; Mr. E. Davies, Ruthin ; Mr. J. Williams, Ruthin ; Mr. Mrs. and the 
Misses E. Jones, Denbigh ; Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Home, Denbigh ; Mr, and Mrs. 



33 

T. Evans, Denbigh; Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Abergele; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd 
Williams, Denbigh; Mr. G. Reade, Llanrwst; Miss Bickley; Mr. Oldfield, 
Messrs. J. C. and Rev. Mr. Oldfield, Bettys ; Mr. H. Lloyd, Denbigh ; Mrs. 
Thomas, Denbigh; Mr. Osborne; Mr. and Mrs. Griffith, Caerhun; Mrs. Mos- 
tyn, Denbigh ; Mr. J. Dawson, Nant ; Miss Heaton, Denbigh ; Rev. Mr. Hamer, 
Bangor; Rev. J. and Mrs. Owen, Denbigh; Mr. Lloyd, Tros y Park; Misses 
Owen, Conway ; Mr. S. Edwardes, Denbigh ; Mr. Fenton, Nantglyn ; Mr. T. 
Jones, Holywell ; Mrs. Price, Denbigh; Mr. J. Hughes, St. Asaph; Rev. T. L. 
Hughes, the Cottage, St. Asaph ; Rev. Ellis Roberts, Llanynys ; Mr. Edwards, 
Denbigh ; Mr. Wright, Llanrwst ; Mr. W. Jones, St. Asaph ; Mrs. Price, Bod- 
nant ; Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Price ; the Messrs. Wyatt and families ; Rev. Mr. Pro- 
bert ; Mr. and Mrs. Lovet ; Rev. D. Williams, Llanrhaiadr ; Mr. Lewis, Loadoa ; 
Mr. Brind, London, cfec. &c. 




ESSAY, 

CONTAINING AN 

HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 

OF 

THE FLINTSHIRE CASTLES: 

BY MR. EDWARD PARRY, CHESTER. 



" Cas gwr ni charo 
" Y wlad a'i macco." 



The following Essay on " the Castles of Flintshire" was one of 
the four presented at the Denbigh Eisteddfod, and bears the Signa- 
ture of' Gwladgarwr.' All the compositions on this subject received 
from the Adjudicators unqualified eulogiums, and for which, being so 
much on a par, each Gentleman received a handsome Silver Medal. 
Miss Angharad Llwyb intends publishing her production in a 
separate form ; those of H. Maxwell, Esq. and the JR&v. Mr. 
Probert have been reclaimed by their respective authors. But, lest 
the public should be disappointed in not having either of the Essays 
on this interesting subject in the present volume, the Committee have 
deemed it proper to supply the Publisher with that of Mr. Parry. 



ESSAY. 



FLINTSHIRE was made into a separate County by our con- 
queror Edward I. in the year of our Lord 1283. Its geographical 
situation is as follows : — on the south-east it is bounded by part of 
Denbighshire, on the south-west by a large portion of the same 
county, on the north by the Irish channel, and on the north-east it 
is separted from Cheshire by the estuary of the Dee, the ancient 
Seteia Estuarium of Ptolemy. Though the smallest county in North 
Wales, it possesses a large portion of interesting objects for the in- 
vestigation of the antiquary, and the researches of the historian. 

The whole Principality, indeed, abounds in multifarious substan- 
ces ; but nature has particularly bestowed an abundant share of 
valuable minerals on Flintshire. Its productions are at once very 
conducive to the prosperity of the arts, of vast importance to trade, 
and, from its maritime situation, have become equally so, in a com- 
mercial point of view. Though it does not possess such mountain- 
ous features as some of its adjacent neighbours, yet, from its diver- 
sified beauties, it has charms of a very engaging character ! — It 
abounds with numerous vestiges of antiquity, is associated, through 
various epochs, with the most important events illustrative of Brit- 
ish history, and is strongly calculated to attract the inquiring mind 
to a county long famed as the asylum of freedom and religion,* the 
residence of a people who from the earliest records have been dis- 
tinguished by independency of spirit and acquirement of learning, f 
who for ages defended their rights, and breathed defiance against 
their oppressors. By a view of these truths, the mind of the his- 
torian is furnished with objects which at once excite and gratify his 
researches. 

The mountains, whose surface is covered with rare and uncom- 
mon plants, have their bowels replete with the most valuable and 

* Alluding to the great Monastery at Bangor Iscoed, and the Hallelujah Victory at Maes Gamon. 

t A specimen of the dignity of her sons may he found in the last reign, three of whom filled, at 
the same time, the important offices of the Lord Mayor of London, the Lord Chief Justice of the 
King's Bench, and the Dean of Arches, viz. Boydel, Kenyon, and Owen. Flintshire is also 
proud to rank among her sous that champion of literature and celebrated tourist, the late Mr. 
Pennant, of Downing. 



4 

useful minerals, yet for centuries was this rich source of wealth* 
disregarded, and, because the casket appeared rough and uninviting, 
no enquiries were made after the jewels it contained within. 

In the first geographicalf account we have of Wales, the portion 
of the country forming the present county of Flint, was comprised 
in the territory of the brave and warlike Ordovices, who have long 
been celebrated for the noble and resolute stand they made against 
a power combining in itself the science and skill of the conquerors 
of the world ; and it was not until further resistance was unavailing, 
that the power of Rome prevailed under its great General Julius 
Agricola, who considered it prudent not to venture upon his Cale- 
donian expedition before he had entirely subdued so formidable and 
determined a race of people as the Ordovices, 

These facts will sufficiently shew that the Romans, on their arri- 
val, did not find our ancient British ancestors such hordes of igno- 
rant savages (as some historians would have us believe), but a peo- 
ple, though widely differing from their invaders in temper, custom, 
and manners, yet strongly imbued with the spirit of genuine free- 
dom — the true amor pair ice, and, if let alone, were contented with 
their condition. 

Their great object was to preserve their liberty as free as the air 
they breathed in, and whenever that was attempted to be encroached 
upon, by any undue extension of arbitrary power, they never ceased 
struggling till the galling yoke of despotism was removed. This 
was the spirit that animated their minds, and this the temper that 
pervaded their actions when their country was invaded by the Ro- 
mans.:): 

The Ordovices were excited by a patriotism seldom exceeded in 
the annals of nations, and stimulated by a noble ambition, never 
satisfied but by victory, and never extinguished but by death! They 
fought with a bravery that astonished the legionary troops, per- 
formed prodigies of valour, which earned for them the character of 
" Invincible," and disputed every inch of ground with a tenacity and 
obstinacy § that extorted from their enemies the tribute of admira- 
tion and esteem. 

This county, then, can boast of being the theatre of the most he- 

• Camden says that silver mines were frequent in Flintshire.—fito Fuller's Wales. 

t Ptolemy's Map of Britain ; he flourished the latter end of the first and the beginning of the 
second century. 

% See Csesar de Uello Gallico, lib. 1, 4-, 5 et 6, Ammianus Marcellinus, lib. 15. Diodorus Sicu- 
lus, lib. 6. Tacitus in Vita Agricola. Stillingfieet Origines Britannica. 

\ Tacitus describes the spirit of resistance by the emphatic term pervicacia, a stubborn immo- 
bility of character. 



roic courage and martial prowess. And, while it made a bold and a 
continued stand for liberty, the inhabitants were furnished with op- 
portunities by the example of their assailants, and impelled by their 
circumstances to study the art of fortification ; and, in later times, 
the necessity for these military defences would naturally suggest it- 
self, from the geographical position of the county, as an important 
portion of Wales, and most open to attack from the English border. 

No wonder then that the elevated grounds of Flintshire should 
be celebrated for such defensive works, as the remains of encamp- 
ments — lines of circumvallations — strong holds — hill fortresses — cas- 
tles * and castellated mansions, testify to this day. Specimens of 
military architecture, which abound in the diversified style of dif- 
ferent and distant periods, constitute some of the most prominent 
and very interesting features of its picturesque scenery. 

The Romans generally chose for the scite of their camps and 
forts some rising ground, frequently a lingula or little tongue of 
land, formed by the confluence of two rivers. But the Britons se- 
lected the most lofty and least accessible mountains, the summit of 
which they fortified, by excavating deep trenches in the solid rock, 
adding vallum of loose stones dug out of the fosses, and in succeed- 
ing times, by adding strong walls of masonry, and erecting massy 
circular towers, with other works of defence. 

The long range of British posts, which are placed in a line of 
considerable elevation along the south-western side of this county, 
called the " Clwydian Hills," is a fine specimen of real British for- 
tification, whose escarpments boldly face towards England, and form 
a noble frontier of ancient bulwarks against an invading foe. 

Although the main object of this Essay is to supply a disquisition 
on the ancient Castles of Flintshire, yet will it not be irrelevant to 
introduce a few preliminary observations on the chain of posts 
which borders upon its frontiers, and which, like the castles them- 
selves, were designed as securities against the irruption of hostile 
bands. 

These British posts extend, nearly in a half circle, from north to 
south, from Prestatyn, on the estuary of the Dee, to Caer Estyn, 
in the parish of Hope. They are so placed as to defend the few 
passes to be found between them in the whole range. I have not 
been able to meet with any information from our ancient records re- 
specting their origin,-]- and cannot therefore ascertain at what period 

* The great Dr. Johnson, when speaking of the Welsh fortresses, says " that one of the castles 
in Wales would contain all the castles he had seen in Scotland."— See his Tour in Waks. 
t The celebrated antiquary Mr. King, of Norfolk, says that the British posts and ramparts 



6 

they were erected or formed ; but that they were in use in very 
early times is certain. In the first century of the Christian era, 
post bulwarks of defence were very prevalent through the whole 
island. The celebrated Agricola,* after his conquest of the Ordo- 
vices, in the year 80, built several fortresses, nearly similar to our 
British posts, to keep in subjection the newly conquered country. 
In the second century, say 118, Emperor Adrian visited Britain, 
and one of the chief objects which he had in view was to fortify and 
secure the frontiers against the incursion of enemies. Where the 
natural bulwarks of mountains, seas, and rivers were wanting, he 
substituted ditches, walls, posts, and other ramparts. 

In the third century, the Emperor Severus built a famous wall 
from the German to the Irish ocean ; this was eighty miles long. — 
One of our ancient bards notices this rampart thus,— 
" Gorug Severus, waith Cain, 
Yn draws dros ynys Brydain 
Rhag gwerin gythrawl, gwawl fain." 

British posts in general had no certain form, but were all render- 
ed defencible by deep ditches and high banks, formed with stones 
which were ready on the spot. They are always placed on the 
summits of the highest mountains, at a certain distance, but never 
out of sight of each other, so that by fire or any other signal the 
approach of an enemy might soon be made known throughout the 
whole line. 

The scarcity of water and other necessaries which naturally would 
be required, shews that these ramparts were not intended for con- 
stant residence, but mere temporary retreats, and depots for their 
different cattle and families on a sudden invasion. While the war- 
rior kept the field, all that was dear and valuable to him and his 
country was committed to these fortresses. 

Moel Hiraddug is the first that forms this range of ramparts ; this 
is conspicuously placed on a very steep and rocky hill in the parish 
of Cwm. On the accessible part, it has a double agger of loose 
stones. Mr. Pennant, our celebrated tourist, was of opinion " that 
prior to the castle of Dyserth, another post might have been on that 
rock, and, in such case, should be esteemed the first post and the 
guard of the shore ; and that the great artificial mount above New- 
bear the strongest indication of having been imitation of architecture in the more eastern part of 
the world, and goes at length to prove that they are very unlike to any of the Saxon, Danish, or 
Norman structure, and adduces many points in which they perfectly resemble Phoenician, Syrian, 
and Median castles. 

• Paulinus, one of Julius Agricola's Generals, resided for some time in the vicinity of St. 
Asaph ; there is to this day a township and a respectable farm-house ©f the name of Bryn Pmlw. 



market, called ' Copy Goleuni^ which is seen from most of the 
others, might be the spot whence the signal was given of the ap- 
proach of the enemy by sea." When the situation of this mount, 
which embraces a view* of the other posts as well as of the sea and 
the inland parts of the country, is considered, the conjecture of our 
countryman is very rational and probable, and receives additional 
strength from the import of its name, Cop y Goleuni, which signi- 
fies the Mount of Lights, the ancient mode of giving alarm being by 
making fires on the most elevated hills. 

The next in proximity to Moel Hiraddug is Moel y Gaer, in the 
parish of Bodfari. This stands a little above the pass leading from 
the village of Bodfari to the vale of Clwyd. Although Bodfari is 
mentioned as having been a considerable Roman station, there is 
not at present visible the smallest vestige nor any trace of Roman 
footsteps, except perhaps in the name. 

Bryn y Cloddiau (or the Hill of Ditches) is the third post. The 
entrenchments on the summit of this hill are very considerable, be- 
ing better than a mile and a half in circumference, and surrounded 
by enormous ditches and other defences. This is evidently the 
largest post throughout the whole line. 

Moel Arthur is the fourth, and is situated on the top of a moun- 
tain, at a great height above Penbedw, in the parish of Nannerch, — 
This is a very strong post, and is defended by ditches and dikes 
of extreme depth ; probably this post was called Moel Arthur after 
our celebrated and renowned Prince Arthur ,\ who has given name to 
a variety of places in Britain. 

The fifth is Moel y Caerau (or the Fortified Mount), an immense 
artificial mount on the highest point of Halkin mountain. 

The sixth is Moel y Gaer (or the Hill of the Fortress), a very 
strong post on the summit of a hill in the parish of Northop. A 
little below this post is a raised mound of earth, which is still per- 
ceptible. That such small elevations, in the immediate vicinity of 
fortifications were not unusual in early times, we are assured from 
history ;f and it is equally certain that they were not erected for 
military defence, but to afford a suitable station for the leaders of 
armies to harangue and encourage their troops against their assail- 

* The view from this mount is very extensive : the Cumberland hills, the Caernarvonshire and 
Merionethshire mountains, are very discernible : and, on a fine clear day, Scotland, the Isle of 
Man, and Ireland may be seen. 

+ The Welsh M.S. Chronicle by Mr. Jones, Gelli Lyfdy, says, that when King Arthur had con. 
eluded peace with the Saxons, he made North Wales his principle residence, and that he had two 
halls in Flintshire, one at Caerwys, and the other at Nannerch, and that Nannerch Church stands 
on the scite of his Chapel, then called Capely gwiail (or the Chapel of twigs). 

$ Henry's History of Britain, vol, 1, page 54. 
G 



8 

ants in the time of war. In after times, this post was the scene of 
a cruel and bloody occurrence ; here it was that Howel Gwynedd (a 
warm partizan of our valiant countryman Owain Glyndwr) was 
taken, and, in a heedless hour, beheaded on the spot. 

Moel Fenlli is the next in contiguity, below which, on a lesser 
hill, is Moel y Gaer. This closes the defensive posts on this line, 
which, from one extremity to the other, embraces a distance of not 
less than twenty-five miles. Caer Estyn, and another post on Caer- 
gwrle rock, defended the frontiers on the Cheshire side. 

Dismissing this historical sketch of the ancient British posts, I 
shall now proceed to the principle object of disquisition, namely, 
" An Historical Account of the Flintshire Castles." As far as I have 
been enabled to ascertain, the number of these is thirteen ; and, in 
order to preserve some uniformity in the arrangement, I shall take 
them from their geographical situation and their contiguity to each 
other, rather than from their presumed antiquity, respecting which 
there is much diversity of opinion. I shall therefore commence 
with the 

CASTLE OF CAERGWRLE. 

The remaining vestiges of this truly ancient fortress are situated 
on the summit of a great rock, overhanging the village of Caer- 
gwrle. It is well defended by nature, being precipitous on one 
side, and of steep declivity on the others. Its present remains are 
very inconsiderable, there being only a part of one tower and some 
walls left. The ruins however are sufficient to indicate that it could 
never have been a place of much importance ; the accessible parts 
were protected by fosses of extreme depth, cut through the live 
rock. 

On the side fronting the north-east there is a somewhat extended 
area, and the remains of a rampart of earth and stones, with a foss, 
resembling those usually observable in the British posts, are still 
discernible ; thence its origin may be fairly concluded to be British : 
it is certain that in early times it was in the possession of the 
Britons, and the probability is, that this pass into Wales was de- 
fended by this Castle and the neighbouring fortress of Caer Estyn. 

Of the precise period when, or by whom, the Castle was erected, 
no trace is to be obtained from history ; but from the circumstance 
above recited, and what follows, its origin may with tolerable cer- 
tainty be placed antecedent to the Norman invasion. Indeed, the 
general structure of the Castle bears no resemblance to the Norman 
architecture, particularly in the deficiency of its towers and its ob- 
long form. Yet, indisputable evidence exists that Caergwrle has 



9 

been a Roman station, (probably an out-post to Deva) and was dis- 
tinguished by the usual accompaniment of Roman luxury, for in 
Camden's time, 1606, a gardener discovered here, by digging, an 
hypocaust, which is described as hewn out of the solid rock, six 
yards and a quarter long, five yards broad, and somewhat more than 
half a yard in height. The floor was of brick, set in mortar, the 
roof supported by pillars, and consisting of polished tiles perfo- 
rated; on these were laid certain brick tubes, which conveyed the 
heat to the room above : on some of the tiles were inscribed the 
letters Legio XX. which seem to point out the founders. In cor- 
roboration of this assumption, it may also be remarked, that Ro- 
man bricks have been found in the ruins of an old house at Hope, 
and large beds of iron cinders discovered near Caer Estyn, in this 
parish, the supposed works of the Romans. In addition to these 
facts, Roman roads are visible in two or three places, especially in 
the fields of Plds teg ; besides, the etymology of the name of this 
place is strongly illustrative of the fact — Caergawrleng, corrupted 
into Caergwrle, the station of the Victorious Legion, the twentieth 
Legion being called Legio Vicessima Victrix ; in the ancient British 
idiom The Giant Legion. 

In addition to what has been advanced of the claims of our 
countrymen to the honour of being the founders of this Castle, I 
shall only observe, that none of the enumerated Roman appendages, 
or any others, were ever discovered within the walls of the for- 
tress, a circumstance which is confirmatory of the presumption that 
the invaders were not the original possessors. I am happy to say 
that our very intelligent countryman, Mr. Pennant, decidedly con- 
curs in the position I have been endeavouring to establish. 

The first circumstance that is mentioned in history respecting this 
Castle is in 867, when Roderick the Great divided the Principality of 
Wales into Cantrefs ; he denominated this fortress and the adjoin- 
ing lands by the name of Cantref y Rhiw. But, in 877, when the 
Saxons invaded North Wales, they comprehended it in their hun- 
dred called Exestan, and added it to the county of Chester. From 
this time we have no account until 1280, when it was in the posses- 
sion of Edward the First ; this monarch bestowed it and all its pri- 
vileges on David, brother to Prince Llywelyn, who but a short 
time before had basely deserted the cause of his country by joining 
the English against his brother. However, David did not long en- 
joy the fruits of his treachery, for very soon afterwards he expe- 
rienced many causes of dissatisfaction, of fear, and of jealously, 
respecting the honour he held under Edward. He was sued by 



10 

William Venables, an Englishman, for the village of Hope and 
Estyn, contrary to the spirit of the agreement by which he held 
them from the King. Venables cut down his woods at Llyweni and 
Hope, and sold the timber to go to Ireland. David also was 
threatened by Reginald de Grey, and other Justiciaries, to be de- 
prived of the Castle and lands he possessed, and he was also re- 
quired to deliver his children as hostages for his future fidelity ; 
another instance of tyranny triumphing over the weak: this strongly 
corroborates the fact of the quotation used by Pompey — 
" He that trusts his freedom to a tyrant, 
" That moment becomes a slave." 

These, and other rigorous outrages, which the English were 
perpetrating on the borders of Wales, gave a just cause of com- 
plaint; and so galling were their acts of oppression, that the 
resentment of several eminent chieftains, as well as of the quiet 
portion of the people, drove them to a vigorous resistance. In 
this dilemma some leading individuals waited upon David and urged 
him to a reconciliation with his brother Llywelyn, at the same time 
using every argument of incitement likely to act on a courageous 
and wounded spirit " to desert the cause of a merciless ravager — 
to retrieve the honour he had lost — to return to the duty he owed 
his country, and to shield her in the hour of danger ;" David's views 
at this time were in accordance with the wishes of his countrymen, 
overwhelmed perhaps with feelings of remorse for the miseries he 
had caused, or moved by an impulse of patriotism, or what is still 
more probable, stung with the unworthy treatment he had recently 
received from the English Prince, he consented to renew his friend- 
ship — to embark in the common cause — and once more to rouse all 
his energies to fight in the defence of his country. 

This object having been resolved upon, and the concert for a 
general insurrection arranged, David, anxious to shew his determined 
attachment to his brother and country, commenced the campaign 
with " a gallant exploit :" he left a garrison* at this castle, collected 
his followers together, and on the evening of Palm Sunday, when 
favoured by a stormy and dark night, surprised the castle of Haw- 
arden, the garrison of which he indiscriminately put to the sword. 

This action was looked upon as a signal for revolt ; the Cambrians 
rose in every direction, volunteered their service, and in the frenzy 
of joy, they ravaged and destroyed the country all before them. — 
The spirit of their fathers seemed to kindle in every bosom ; and 

• Welsh Chronicle, page 337. 



11 

animated by the thoughts of Llywelyn and David having united, they 
looked forward with full confidence of enjoying their ancient laws 
and privileges, unmolested by the foreign yoke which lay so heavily 
upon them. 

The King of England, hearing of this disaster, immediately rallied 
his forces, sent an army to Caergwrle, and laid seige to the castle. 
In a short time the garrison was obliged to surrender.* 

After this, Edward granted it, with its privileges, to his consort 
Queen Eleanor, who, on her journey to Caernarvon, to give the 
Welsh a Prince " born among them." lodged in this Castle, from 
which incident it acquired the name of Queen Hope, which it re- 
tains to the present time. At this period, or soon afterwards, it 
was, by some accident or other, set on firef and burnt. 

In 1283, when Edward divided Wales into counties, he made 
this vicinity a part of the connty of Flint. 

Edward the Second granted this Castle in 1307 to John de Crom- 
well, in consideration of which he was obliged to repair the Castle, 
then in a ruinous state. 

In 1317, when Edward was engaged in the wars with Scotland, 
he directed^ Cromwell to raise fifty foot soldiers upon his demesne, 
to go and assist the King. 

Caergwrle and Hope received their first charter from Edward the 
Black Prince, dated at Chester, 1351 ; in which he directed that 
the Constable of the Castle for the time being should be Mayor, 
and was to choose two Bailiffs annually from the Burgesses. All 
the privileges which this charter granted, were confirmed by Richard 
the Second in 1388.§ This monarch made a grant of this territory to 
John de Holland, Earl of Huntington, who, after the deposition of 
his royal master, was beheaded at Plessy, in Essex. 

On the first of January, 1401, Henry the Fourth granted the 
Castle and manor to Sir John Stanley, in whose family it remained 
for some time. 

Henry the Eighth, about 1540, incorporated Caergwrle with the 
county of Denbigh ; but, to accommodate the Earl of Derby, who 
wished to have his land in the same shire, this monarch again re- 
stored it to the county of Flint, attached to which it remains to this 
day. 

By a provision in its ancient charter, the inhabitants of Caer- 
gwrle, as well as those of Hope, enjoy the privilege of voting for a 
Member of Parliament for the boroughs of Flintshire. 

• Powell's Wales, page 350. t Camden, 63. 

Dugdale's Baronage, vol. 2, p. 44.— Rotuli Scottia, 136. \ Sebright M.S.S. 



12 

I shall now proceed to some historical facts that have connexion 
with the 

CASTLE OF OVERTON. 

This fortress (of which there are now no visible remains) stood 
on the lofty ridge of a piece of ground still known by the name of 
Castle-field,* 

It was built about the year 1150, by Madog ap Meredydd, Lord 
of Overton, and last Prince of Powys ; a name well known to the 
Welsh historian, from his base conduct in deserting his country and 
forming an alliance with the King of England : he joined his forces 
with Randulph, Earl of Chester, againt our celebrated countryman 
Owain Gwynedd. His character, notwithstanding this, was both 
virtuous and beneficent ; he was one, as Powell informs us in his 
Welsh Chronicle, " that feared God and relieved the poor." 

Tradition says, that Madoc made this Castle his residence, from 
which incident it received the additional name of Madog, Overton 
Madog. 

At the time of the conquest, this place went by the name of 
Ovretone, a name which at once points out its then owner as a Saxon ; 
whenever the Saxons conquered any place, they always made it a 
rule to change its name. At a subsequent period, in the time of 
the Normans, it was granted to Robert Fitzhugh. 

In the seventh of Edward the first, about 1278, it was in the 
possession of Robert de Crevecceur.-f This person established a weekly 
market at Overton, which was held every Wednesday. 

In order to secure the frontiers of his conquest, Edward sent 
Reginald de Greg, Justiciary of Chester, purposely to Overton, to 
grant to the inhabitants, or such as would become burgesses, suitable 
lands (within the territory of the Castle) " for them to build bur- 
gages with."J From that time it forms one of the contributary 
boroughs which has the privilege of voting for a Member of Parlia- 
ment. 

History is silent respecting any other transaction of this Castle, 
excepting its being granted§ by Edward the Third, in 1331, to the 
Baron of Knockyn. 

I cannot conclude the historical account of this fortress, without 
noticing the singularity of a certain spot that is in the immediate 
neighbourhood, " which divides England from Wales — the provinces 

* Leland, in bis Itinerary, Vol. VI. p 16, mentions " that there was a pratty pyle or Castel at 
Oureton in ancient tyme, the which was throwen downe by the vyolence of the Dee Ryver chang- 
ing its bottom ; for of old tyme Dee ran halfe a mile from the Castel yn a place of the valley 
caulled Whiston, where now is wodeand ploughed ground ryght again Oureton." 

+ Harleian MSS. Mo. 2074-75. * Dugdale, I. 668. I Pennant, Vol I. 306. 



13 

of Canterbury and York — the diocesses of Litchfield and Coventry, 
Chester and St. Asaph — the Counties of Flint, Salop, and Denbigh — 
the hundreds of Oswestry, Maelor, and Bromfield — the parishes of 
Ellesmere, Overton, and Erbistock — and the townships of Duddeston 
and Knolton ! /" 

I next proceed to 

EULO CASTLE. 

The ruins of this small fortress stand on the edge of a deep din- 
gle, the accessible parts well guarded by a very strong wall, which 
forms a noble defence. The interior consisted of two parts, the 
largest of which had an oblong tower, rounded at one end, fifteen 
yards long and twelve yards wide. The other part had also an ob- 
long court, at the extremity of which there was a circular tower, 
now finely covered with ivy, which gives it a gloomy appearance. 

History, and even tradition, are silent about its founder ; probably 
it was built by one of the Lords of Tegengl, who had it as one of 
the out-posts between Mold and Chester. It must have been in a 
demolished state for some hundred years past, for Leland in his 
Itinerary represents it as a " Ruinous Castle or pile, belonging to 
Hoele," (most probably the antiquary meant Howel) " a gentle- 
man of Flyntshire, that by ancient accustume was wont to give the 
bagge of the Sylver Harpe* to the best harper of North Walys, as 
by ancient priviliges of his ancestors that dwellith at Penrin in Flynt- 
shire."f 

Adjoining this Castle there is a wood still called Coed Eulo, very 
celebrated for the memorable repulse that a part of the flower of 
Henry the 'second's army received in 1157, from David and Conan, 
sons of our gallant hero, Owain Gwynedd. This warrior had his 
forces encamped near Basingwerk, but in order to stop the progress 
of Henry's army, he sent his sons with a strong detachment of his 
forces to this wood ; after reconnoitring awhile, some skirmishes 
commenced ; these were but feints to draw the Endglish into the 
dangerous and narrow passes between the hills ; they suffered the 
enemy to advance along the streights, and Henry, too confident 
in the strength and dicipline of his troops, ordered them to march 
forward, till at length his forces got entangled in the wood, and 
other snares which were laid for them. The Welsh in the mean 
time sprang upon the enemy all of a sudden, and so fierce and un- 

* Thomas ap Richard ap Howel, or (Hoele ) lord of Mostyn, was cotemporay with Leland, m 
whose family the above privilege was long invested. The Silver Harp that was given at Caerwys 
in Queen Elizabeth's time is now at Mostyn. 

+ Leland's Itiuerary, Vol 5. p. 56. 



14 

expected was the attack, that the cries of the English were horrible, 
and the slaughter equally dreadful;* the remaining part of the 
English were routed in all directions, and followed even to Henry's 
camp, which then lay on Saltney Marsh, near Chester.f 

The result of this battle, one might think, would (in some degree) 
have repressed Henry's hopes of success, which he had previously 
entertained of a conquest of Wales. However, he was not intimi- 
dated by any trivial reverse ; he immediately broke up his camp, 
and with a resolute mind adopted other decided measures. He 
leaves his camp, and with every precaution marches his army along 
the coast of the Dee, as far as Coleshill, with a view of throwing 
himself into the rear of O wain's forces, and to cut off all commu- 
nication with their supplies ; but, before this could be done, he was 
obliged to suffer himself to have another engagement, and under 
disadvantages equal to those that part of his army had experienced 
before. He was again defeated, and Eustace Fitz John% and Robert 
de Courci, two of his Barons high in rank and courage, were slain 
in battle ; Henri/ de Essex also, Standard Bearer of England, was 
seized with a panic ; he threw the standard down, and with vehe- 
mence cried out " the King is slain."§ The alarm flew with electric 
rapidity through the English ranks ; the Welsh, profiting by this 
incident, defeated a part of the enemy — the route would have been 
general had not Henry made his appearance at the moment ; he im- 
mediately rallied his forces, repulsed the Welsh with double fury, 
and advanced his army a second time to endeavour to get between 
Owain and the mountains. The cautious Welshman was however 
aware of the meditated manoeuvre. He sounded a retreat from a 
hill above Bagillt, to this day called JBryn Dychwelwch (or the Hill 
of Retreat), and accordingly retired to a spot near St. Asaph, 
which also to this day bears the name of " Cil Owain" (or Owen's 
Retreat), where he effectually evaded the designs of the enemy. 

Henry, upon this, was obliged to fortify himself in the Castle of 
Rhuddlan. Owen, in the mean time quitted his place of retreat by 
St. Asaph, and encamped in a strong post called Bryny Pin; this 
being well defended by great ramparts and ditches, he was enabled 
frequently to baffle and annoy the invaders. Henry, finding himself 
foiled in all his further attempts to obtain a decided advantage, after 
a few skirmishes, the war ended, and the English monarch no doubt, 
was very glad to abandon an enterprise by which he had gained 
neither glory for himself, nor any profitable possessions for his 

* Lord Littleton's History of Henry II. Vol. 2. p. 72-73. + Powell's Wales, 207. 

% Lord Littleton's History of Henry. \ Guil. Newbrig, lib. 2. c. 5. 



IS 

kingdom. From this time we have no account of the Castle until 
it became an appurtenance to the manor of Montalto, or Mold. Its 
new owners, very probably, deserted this fortress and preferred that 
of Mold, which had many decided advantages in point of security 
and situation, to terrify the neighbouring country, and keep in awe 
all other future assailants ; consequently we hear nothing of Eulo 
Castle until the 26th of Henry the Eighth, when it was in the posses- 
sion of the crown. The King granted it to Peter Stanley, Esq. 
one of the gentlemen of his household.* 

Edward Stanley held it in the time of Queen Elizabeth, who, for 
an acknowledgment, received the sum of £20 10s. per annum.f 

Afterwards it came, by purchase, to the possession of John Davies, 
Esq. Llanerch, but now it is the property of Davies Cooke, Esq. in 
right of his mother. 

The next in the order of arrangement is the 
CASTLE OF MOLD. 

This fortress stood on a lofty mount, commonly called Baity Hill, 
which is partly artificial and partly natural. Of the building, there 
are not now the smallest remains, neither have we any certainty 
about its founders, or as to the period of its original foundation. It 
is not unlikely but that some of the ancient Britons had a sort of 
fortress here, and that the Saxons, and afterwards the Normans, 
who, aware of so eligible a situation on the borders of the frontiers, 
should embrace the convenience it offered, and erect on it a Castle. 

Beside the natural difficulty of the ascent, there is every appear- 
ance of its being strongly intrenched by great ditches, around which 
are stones, the only vestiges of its ramparts. 

The first historical account we have of this Castle is in the reign 
of William ftufus, about 1093, when it was in the possession of 
Eustace Cruer, who then did homage for Mold and Hope-dale. It 
soon afterwards came into the possession of Roger de Monte Alto, 
who was Seneschal of Chester in the year 1 130. 

The English at this time had obtained several important posses- 
sions in the Marches of Wales, where they had erected many for- 
tresses that proved at once a protection to their kingdom, and a 
source of annoyance to the enemy. Amongst these the Castle of 
Mold was noted for its strength, and was no less a defence to its 
possessors than a scourge to the ancient inhabitants. After the 
English had the fortress in possession, several unsuccessful attempts 

• Harleian M.S.S. No. 1968-10. f Harleian M.S.S. 1970.7. 

H 



16 

were made for its recovery, which were unavailing, till at length the 
Welsh, no longer able to bear the insults and the plundering rava- 
gers of the garrison, put themselves in arms under their gallant 
Prince, Owain Givynedd, who for multiplied injuries determined, if 
possible, to avenge himself and his country by the destruction of 
the fortress ; for so intolerable had their sufferings become, that they 
declared their resolution to seek an honourable death, rather than 
submit any longer to the arbitrary conduct of the invaders. With 
this declaration, and animated by the anticipated conquest of so 
important a hold, Owain laid siege to the Castle, but so desperate 
and determined were the garrison in defence of their fortress, that 
for a considerable time all hopes of success were deemed impossi- 
sible. The Welsh however were determined to pursue their under- 
taking at the expence of all that was dear to man ! Owen stimu- 
lated his men, and by his example and perseverance he doubly in- 
creased the energy and exertion of his forces, till at length their 
object was effected ! The Castle was levelled to the ground, and 
the whole garrison made prisoners ! 

The feelings of the Welsh, after their triumph over so powerful 
and obstinate a foe, may be more easily conjectured than described. 
This victory gave just cause for exultation and joy, and so elated 
was their heroic Prince that he quite forgot the mortification he for 
some time before had been subject to. The English, on the other 
hand, were all on the alert, and most anxious to regain the honour 
they had lost ; they were not willing to yield the palm of glory to 
the Welsh without having another struggle. Accordingly they re- 
solved upon the most vigorous hostilities, but nothing in the shape 
of an extensive enterprise occurred until the year 1149, when Ran- 
dulph, Earl of Chester, made some very formidable preparations 
for invading the country : he raised a very numerous army of Eng- 
lish, besides his own vassals ; he collected from different parts of 
England a large body of troops, and also formed, for this design, 
an alliance with that traitor Madog ap Maredydd, Prince of Powys, 
who for some reasons or other treacherously deserted the cause of 
his country by joining the inveterate enemy of the land of his 
fathers. No doubt he had previously entertained hopes (should the 
result prove favourable) of building his own independence on the 
ruins of that of his rival. With these numerous and united forces 
Randulph marches into Flintshire : Owen, in the mean time, was 
aware of his progress, as on all other occasions he had taken every 
prudent precaution against a surprise ; he leaves Mold Castle with 
a determined mind either to keep his dominion as free as the air 



17 

from foreign invaders, or otherwise lose his valuable life in the at- 
tempt ! He did not suffer the enemy to advance many miles but, 
contrary to the usual custom of the Welsh in declining a general 
engagement, he on this occasion determined to have the first onset, 
and accordingly marched against the English army, whom he en- 
countered at no great distance from this fortress. Randulph, who 
had relied much on the superiority of his troops, both in numbers 
and discipline, no doubt looked forward for victory with confidence 
as to the result of the engagement ; but " the race is not always to 
the swift, nor the battle to the strong." Owen availed himself of 
the ardour of his men and the justness of his cause — gave them bat- 
tle, and so sudden and impetuous was his attack, that all resistance 
on the part of the enemy became fruitless ! ! The English were 
obliged to seek their security in a most disgraceful flight, and so 
vigorous were the Welsh in their victorious pursuit, that only a few 
of the English leaders returned to Chester to announce the result 
of the contest, while the fugitives owed their escape more to the 
swiftness of their horses* than to the courage of their assailants ! 

This distinguished victory over the invaders seemed to have the 
desired effect, for so decisive was the result that the English for the 
time gave up all thoughts of prosecuting their favourite project ; and 
indeed some years had elapsed before they made any further ef- 
forts towards subduing North Wales. 

The Welsh, therefore, as far as foreign hostilities could affect 
them, might have enjoyed a considerable degree of repose, and 
hopes might reasonably have been entertained of restoring that 
prosperity, of which they had been deprived by a long succession of 
wars and other calamities connected therewith. But it was the 
misfortune of the Welsh at this, as well as at all other times, to 
quarrel among themselves : the suspension of this external warfare 
was but an occasion for the revival of domestic dissensions and fa- 
mily feuds ; this national sin of our countrymen soon terminated 
the peaceable state of their affairs. Owain disagreed with his bro- 
ther Cadwaladr, which produced internal commotion. The Eng- 
lish, taking advantage of this incident, and anxious to repair their 
late disasters, laid siege to this Castle and wrested it from the 
Welsh ;f it was afterwards re-taken by Prince Llywelyn ap Jor- 
wertk,% In the year 1198. After this it must have formed a part of 
the dominion of the Lords Marchers till 1267, when it was for the 

* Welsh Chronicle, p. 197. 202. History of the Gwydir Family, p. 4. 

t Red Book of Hergest, at Jesus College Oxford, % Llwyd's Cornmentariolum, 157. 



18 

third time besieged, taken, and entirely demolished, by Gryffvdd 
ap Gwenwynwyn, Lord of Powys, who at this time had returned to 
his allegiance to Prince Llywelyn ap Gryffvdd. 

The Castle, however, was once more re-built by the English, 
who seem to have remained in the unmolested possession of it till 
the revolt of Sir Gryffudd Llwyd.* For a time he adhered to the 
invaders, till finding their yoke intolerable, he collected a great 
number of his countrymen and over-ran North Wales ; and in 1322, 
among other fortresses he took this Castle. Being however unable 
to defend the different places he had taken, he was soon defeated 
and made prisoner. After a short confinement at Rhuddlan Castle, 
he was executed.f 

From this time the Castle remained in the peaceable possession of 
the English until its final destruction, the time of which I have not 
been able to ascertain. Having treated on all the historical facts 
relating to this fortress, I shall now proceed to the next in conti- 
guity, which is 

HA WARDEN CASTLE. 

The remains of this once important fortress stand on an elevated 
spot, now inclosed in Sir Stephen Glynne's park. Though sur- 
rounded with ancient oaks and other high trees, its turrets soar 
above all the wood and command a very extensive scenery. The 
windings of the Dee and the Irish channel is a fine sea view : on 
the other side, that immense track of land called the Vale Royal of 
Cheshire, forms one of the most beautiful inland scenes in this part 
of the country. 

The original founders of this Castle cannot be traced ; several 
historians are of opinion that the Britons were in possession of it 
in very early times, and prior to the desperate opposition of the 
Ordovices, had to defend this part of the country against the Cor- 
navii and the invading Romans. Truemans Hill, Connds Hey, the 
Rqft, and several other ancient fortified heights, which surround 
this fortress, and formed after the British manner, strongly corro- 
borate the conjecture of its having been of British origin. However, 
history is silent about any of its transactions until about the year 790. 
At this time Offa, King of Mercia, made the celebrated Dyke, called 
Clawdd Offa, as a boundary betwixt his kingdom and that of Wales. 
Hawarden was then in his dominions ; afterwards it came into the 
possession of the Saxons; at this time it received the name of W*>* w ' 1 "» 
or Haweorden, which, according to the Saxon language imp] 

* He was Knighted by Edward I, at Rhuddlan. + Powell, 289. Wynn, 313 



19 

head land above the lake, and is particularly descriptive of its situ- 
ation, as standing on an elevation above the Dee. 

In 876 Anarawd, son of Roderic the Great, became the Prince 
of Gioynedd. At that period the Britons of Cumberland were very 
much disturbed, their country being over-run by the Danes and 
Saxons, so much so, that they were obliged to seek a more peaceful 
habitation. They followed their leader Robert into North Wales, 
and obtained permission from Anarawd to settle in the counties of 
Flint and Denbigh,* under a stipulation that they would assist 
Anarawd to expel the Saxons. Both parties agreed, and animated 
by the hope of regaining their ancient possessions, they set to work 
with unexampled bravery, routed the Saxons on all sides, and even- 
tually settled in their newly conquered districts : however they were 
not long in a peaceful state ; the Saxons were anxious to wipe away 
their disgrace, and, if possible, to recover their territories ; they 
collected a great force and entered Wales. The North Britons, 
apprised of their approach, gave them the meeting, and such was 
the reception the invaders received, that another victory was the 
immediate result. After this the Britons took possession of the 
whole country from Chester to Conway. 

Hawarden Castle had now become a very important hold, being 
so nearly situated on the frontiers, and always most open to attack. 
We learn from a Saxonf M.S. that in 946, Sitsyllt,^ a Welsh no- 
bleman, was appointed Governor of Hawarden Castle ; how long 
he was able to hold it is not ascertained. 

* Cambrian Biography, page 7. 

+ To illustrate the dark and superstitious character of that age, I may observe that the M.S. goes 
on to state that, Sitsyllt married Lady Trawst, who, among others, went to the Christian temple at 
Hawarden, to pray to the image of the Virgin Mary for rain ; the Virgin had in her hand a very 
large cross, called the Holy Rood, which, while the Lady was in the act of prayer, fell down 
upon her, and killed her ; upon which a great uproar was raised, and it was resolved to try the 
Holy Rood for the murder ; a Jury was summoned, whose designation is thus given: 
*• Hincot and Han cot, Span of Mancot; 
M Leech and Leach of Cumberbeach ; 
" Peet and Peat, with Corbin of the Gate ; 
" Milling and Huget, with Gill and Puget."1T 
Who upon strictly examining of the evidence, gave their verdict ' Wilful Murder" against the 
Holy Rood. After much consultation the image was ordered to be drowned in the River Dee ; the 
tide beiug strong, carried the Holy Rood near to the walls of the City of Chester. The inha- 
bitants buried it at the place where it was found, and erected a monument of stone over it, with 
this inscription : 

" The Jews their God did crucify, 

" The Hardeners theirs did drowne, 
" 'Cause with their wants she'd not comply, 
" And lies under this cold stone." 
It is conjectured that the fine piece of ground over which Chester Races are now run, received its 
former name, Rood-Eye, from the above historical tradition. The monument, in the form of a 
cross, is still on the Roodee, though the inscription is totally defaced. 
% From this Sitsyllt all the noble families of England received the surname of Cecil. 

e above Jurymen are still living, and retain their names. A Mr. CORBIN still 



20 

Before the Norman conquest, Hawarden was the chief manor and 
the capital of the hundred of Atiscross; and on the invasion of 
William the Conqueror it was in the possession of Edwin, the vali- 
ant but wicked sovereign of Deira, a region of which the county of 
Northumberland formed a part. Here, on driving the Welsh 
Prince from his territory? the miscreant or misguided King had 
probably a palace, from whence he might hear, if not see, that his 
cruel orders were executed. 

From this period Hawarden appears to have been a strong and 
favourite hold of the Saxons, until the conquest, when William set 
aside the Saxon line and established himself King of England. 
After settling his own affairs, he was anxious to remunerate his 
friends and followers with some of the principal estates in this 
country ; accordingly we find Hawarden Castle comprehended in the 
vast grant* made to his kinsman Hugh Lupus, whom he created 
Earl of Chester. 

This fortress afterwards was held by the tenure of Seneschalship, 
under the Earls of Chester, by the Barons of Montalto, who made 
it their residence.f 

A respectable genealogist^ informs us, that soon after the con- 
quest, Hawarden was in the possession of Roger Fitzvalarine, a son 
of one of the numerous adventurers that espoused the cause and 
followed the fortune of the Norman Conqueror. Roger, having 
frequent contests with the Welsh, was often glad to save himself by 
retreating to this strong hold. 

After the extinction of the Barons of Montalto and the Earls of 
Chester, owing to the want of a male issue, this, with the other 
fortress annexed, were resumed by the crown. In 1245 Henry the 
Third bestowed it upon his son, afterwards Edward the First. 

Hawarden Castle is connected with a very singular and curious 
piece of history, arising from those contingencies of warfare which 
no sagacity can foresee nor limited power prevent. Some time dur- 
ing the rebellion, the potent Earl of Leicester took prisoners, at the 
battle of Lewes, King Henry the Third and his son Prince Ed- 
ward ; the former he carried about as a state pageant, and the latter 
he committed to close custody in Hereford Castle ! In order to fur- 
ther his insurrection, the Earl, in 1264, held a political conference 
at this Castle with Llywelyn Prince of Wales, when both entered 
into an inquisitous league, by which each pledged his honour to 

• This wonderful grant contained all the land from Chester to Conway, the County of Chester, 
the Lordship of Tegengl and Rhyfoniog; over these he was empowered with sovereign authority. 
t Camden, Vol. II. 826. % Collin's Peerage, Vol. I. 48. 



21 

iote the execution of their respective designs. By this com- 
pact, peace was made between the Welsh frontiers and the Marches 
of Cheshire. In the month of June, the year following, the cap- 
tive monarch was, under existing circumstances, necessiated to re- 
nounce his assumed rights to several of his unjustly acquired pos- 
sessions ; among others he was compelled to give up this fortress,* 
and, what was still more mortifying to Henry's feelings, he was 
obliged to make an absolute cession of the whole Sovereignty of 
Wales and its Baronial suffrages. By this treaty the Barons were 
compelled to make their submission for their tenure to Llywelyn, 
the Prince of Wales, instead of to Henry, King of England ! ! 

It was also agreed by another treaty, f signed at Montgomery, 
that in future the Dee should be the boundary between England and 
Wales, from Wirral, in Cheshire, to Holt, in Denbighshire, and 
thence in a direct line to Pengwern, the present Shrewsbury. After 
bringing matters to this state, strange as it may appear, the Earl of 
Leicester, who had instigated the rebellion, was now labouring to 
suppress the same ! This he conducted in a deceitful though mas- 
terly manner ; he eventually succeeded, and Hawarden was again, 
under Papal power, restored to the crown. An admonitionary Bull 
was issued, excathedra, from the reigning Pope to Ottoboni, the then 
legate to the Prince of Wales, requiring him to surrender all the 
territory he had lately taken from the King. Though at the mo- 
ment the mandate did not produce the desired effect, it soon ope- 
rated in a disunion among the parties ; the Lords Marchers made a 
grand effort to liberate their Prince — this they effected, together 
with the taking of the whole country from Chester to Hereford, 
spreading their victorious army with horror and dismay. 

Under these varying scenes, Leicester broke up with Llywelyn, 
and, like a coward, joined the strongest side ; for the English had now 
become the most powerful. After several conflicts, disgraceful to 
both, the Earl, for the sake of putting an end to the war, and with 
a view to cement a re-union, offered his daughter Eleanor de Mont- 
ford to the Prince of Wales, which, according to the policy of 
Llywelyn, was an offer not to be refused. The Pope brought on a 
pacification between the parties, during which time this Castle was 
probably destroyed by the command of Llywelyn, for he agrees 
among other articles, to restore his lands in Hawarden, etc. to Roger 
de Monte Alto, provided the latter would not build any Castle, for- 
tress, or other strong hold there for the ensuing thirty years.J But, 

• Rymer, Vol. 1. 15. + Annates Cestriences. % Rymer, Vol. I. 845. 



22 

like all other restrictive injunctions which are dictated in a tyranical 
spirit, and unsupported by an adequate force, this agreement fell to 
the ground, for in 1280 this Castle was garrisoned by the English 
and went by the name of Castrum Regis. 

The next year, say 1281, was distinguished by a general insur- 
rection of the Welsh under Prince Llywelyn and his brother David, 
the latter having entered into engagements with the former, first 
deserting the English with whom he had for some time previous 
unnaturally allied himself. But having, in my account of the Castle 
of Caergwrle, already given some particulars of this reconciliation 
and its immediate result, it is unnecessary to repeat them here ; 
suffice it to say that David led his valiant men against their enemy, 
and his first achievement was the taking of this Castle by " coup de 
main," made prisoner Roger de Clifford, Justiciary of Chester, and 
" horrible dictu, put the whole garrison to the sword ! I" 

David suffered for this in the most severe and inhuman manner ;* 
as soon as he was taken, he was sent to Shrewsbury in chains, and 
because he had been made a Baron of England, Edward was de- 
termined to have him tried as such. With this view he summoned 
eleven Earls and one hundred Barons to sit in judgment at his 
trial ; the King himself presided in person, f and no doubt influ- 
enced the decision of the judges to silence the claims of humanity. 
By this assembly David was doomed to die as a traitor, and con- 
demned to five different kinds of punishments ; as part of the 
condemnation alludes to what he did at this fortress, I shall specify 
the whole : first he was to be drawn at the tails of horses, through the 
streets of Shrewsbury, to the place of execution, because he was a 
traitor to the King who made him a Knight — to be hanged for having 
murdered Fulk Trigald and other Knights in the Castle of Hawar- 
den — his heart and bowels to be burned, because those murders had been 
perpetrated on Palm Sunday — his head to be cut off—h\& body to be 
quartered, and to be hung up in different parts of the kingdom.^ This 
bloody sentence was executed on David to its utmost rigour — a judg- 
ment in itself sufficient to disgrace a barbarous nation, much more 
a court composed of free-born Englishmen ; every generous principle 
and every spark of humanity seemed to have extinguished in national 
revenge, which had seized on our invaders, and to gratify still more 
the eyes of the people, John de Vaus,§ the then Chief Justice of 

• Wynn's Wales. 236. 

t Rymer, Vol. II. 247-48. Matthew West, 177. Annals Waverliences, 238. 
+ The Inhabitants of York and Winchester contended with a savage ferocity for the right shoulder 
of this unfortunate Prince ; the other quarters were sent to Bristol and Northampton. 
\ Guthrie's History of England, page 898. 



23 

England, ordered his head to be sent to London, and there to be 
fixed on a pole to be gazed* at by the populace. 

Hawarden, after the death of David, appears to have been for a 
considerable time in the family of Montalto ; but owing to the vari- 
able nature of property, arising from the uncertainty of life, Robert, 
the last Baron of Montalto, in 1327, for want of issue, passed this 
manor with several other possessions to Isabel the Queen- mother, 
after which, on account of her great disgrace, it reverted to the 
crown. 

Edward the Third, in 1337, granted the Stewardship of Hawar- 
den, &c. to Montacute, Earl of Salisbury, in whose family it con- 
tinued until the year 1400, when his great nephew John, Earl of 
Salisbury, joined the interest of Richard the Second against Henry 
the Fourth, who on the fifth of January routed Salisbury, and on 
the night of the sixth he was assaulted at his lodgings in Cirences- 
ter ; the following morning he was, with other noblemen, beheaded 
by the populace.f After this, the Castle became by Act of Parlia- 
ment, 7th of Henry the Fourth, the property of the crown. 

In 1411 Henry granted it, by patent, to his son the Duke of Cla- 
rence ; at his death, which happened in 1420, for want of issue, it 
again reverted to the crown. 

Henry the Sixth granted all his property in Flintshire to his 
mother, Queen Catharine.^ The Castle and lordship of Hawarden, 
together with Mohendale, was then worth £66 13s. 4c?. per annum,§ 
which she enjoyed until her death, January 7, 1437 ; on her demise 
Henry granted it to Sir Thomas Stanley. 

In 1450 it was resumed by the crown, and in 1451 granted to 
Edward Prince of Wales ; but in the year 1454 a fine was levied 
upon the Castle and manor to the use of Richard Neville and Alice 
his wife, and to their son-in-law Sir Thomas Stanley, who after 
the battle of Bosworth-field was created Earl of Derby ; after his 
decease, it became the property of his second wife Margaret Countess 
of Richmond, mother to our countryman Henry VII. the great restor- 
er of our rights and privileges. This monarch visited Hawarden Castle 
in 1494, attended by the Earl of Derby and several other noblemen; 
the King resided here for a month, diverting himself with the 
amusement of stag hunting. 

On the death of Margaret, it descended to the Derby family, and 

" Matthew Westminster, 177. T.Wyke, 111. J. Rossi, 166. Annals Waverliences, 238. 
t Dr. Henry's History of Great Britain, Vol IX. page 9. 
X This Catharine married Owain Tudor, Pen Mynydd Mon. 
\ See Rolls of Parliament at that time ; there is a copy at Talacre, 
I 



24 

continued in their possession until the demise of James, the noble 
and heroic Earl, who, being taken in the unfortunate affair at the 
fatal battle of Worcester, was beheaded by the insurgents in 1651. 

It was purchased under the ever memorable and commemorative 
Sequestration Act, by Mr. Serjeant Glynne, a character highly cele- 
brated through the various politics of his day, so much so, that the 
crafty Cromwell made him one of his councillors. Butler, in his 
Hudibras, notices his conduct while impeaching the character of 
the Earl of Stratford, and the arraignment of the twelve Bishops, in 
the following singular couplet : — 

" Did not the learned Glynne and Maynard, 
To make good subjects traitors, strain hard." 

During the time of the civil wars, Hawarden Castle, like all 
other important holds in the island, suffered the changes of fortune. 
At an early part of the contest it was seized by the anti-royalists 
and garrisoned by the Parliamentary forces, having been treacher- 
ously given up by the then Governor, who kept it for the use 
of Parliament until 1645. This year a cessation of arms took 
place between Charles and the Irish rebels ; the Duke of Ormond 
dispatched from Ireland a number of forces under the command of 
Lieutenant Colonel Marrow, who on the 22nd of November landed 
at Mostyn : these were immediately ordered to attack and invest 
the Castle of Hawarden, then garrisoned by Sir Thomas Middle- 
ton's regiment. On their arrival, they sent a verbal summons to the 
garrison, accompanied by a trumpet, as the avant courier; then 
followed several written communications between the Commander 
of the fortress and that of the royalists. The letters* are strikingly 
illustrative of the complexion of the times ; one of them, from 
Thomas Sandford, Captain of the fire-locks, threatens the garrison 
by saying " that he never gives nor takes quarter," and concludes 
his epistle thus, " 1 am no bread and cheese rogue, but as ever a 
loyalist, and will be while I can write the name of T. Sandford." 

All this ridiculous menacing eloquence, and the utmost effort of 
the loyal cause, would have been unavailable for a considerable pe- 
riod had not fresh resources been found, and more physical power 
applied ; Major Gibson obtained a reinforcement from Chester of 
300 citizens, and the companies under Captains Throp and Morgel, 
these having joined the other forces, a vigorous attack was made the 
following day. The garrison at last, for want of provision, was 
obliged to hang out the " white flag," so, as Rushworth says, " after 

• The curious may find the letters inserted in Itushworth's Collection, Vol. II. 4, and Pennant's 

Wales. 



26 

a fortnight's siege, and much ink and little blood spilt, the Castle, 
being in want of provision, was surrendered to Sir Michael Earnley, 
on condition to march out with half arms and two pair of colours 
flying, and the others furled, and to have a eonvoy either to Wem 
or Nantwyche." 

It appears that the royalists kept possession of the Castle subse- 
quent to the surrender of Chester to Sir William Brereton, in 1645. 
After a close siege for one month, it was reluctantly given up in 
March by the then Governor Sir William Neale, who had received 
the King's mandate* not to offer further resistance ; in consequence 
the Parliamentary forces, under General Mytton, took possession of 
it until December 22, when the Parliament, alarmed for their own 
safety, owing to the dissatisfaction which prevailed among their 
troops, ordered this fortress, with four others in North Wales,f to 
be dismantled : this was done so far as to render it untenable as a 
place of defence. The further destruction of it took place about 
the year 1665, by the then owner Sir William Glynne, the first 
Baronet of that family. 

In order to find out its original form and extent, the present 
owner's 'great grandfather, Sir J. Glynne, caused all the rubbish 
from its foundation to be removed, and with great labour laid open 
its interior, whence it appears to be of a pentagonal form, with a 
strong square entrance gateway on its widest side, and another a 
kind of barbican. At one dingle was placed the keep or citadel, 
consisting of a circular nearly entire ; the other parts comprise 
fragments of high walls and various buildings, particularly some 
artfully contrived subterraneous rooms, supposed to have been ap- 
propriated as places of confinement for the security of prisoners. 

Its remaining vestiges are mere ruins — a shadow, compared with 
unoriginal magnificence — a true picture of all terrestrial things. In- 
stead of being the pride and rendezvous of the haughty Baron and 
his revelling Chieftains, 

" 'Tis now the raven's bleak abode, 

Tis now the apartment of the toad ; 

And there the fox securely feeds, 

And there the poisonous adder breeds, 

Conceal'd in ruins, moss, and weeds." 
The next in proximity, according to the plan set out, is 

FLINT CASTLE. 
This fortress is situated on an isolated rock that juts out towards 
the sea, a little north-east of the town. Formerly the channel of 

• M.S. at the Library at Mostyn. t Whitelock, 231. 



26 

the Dee ran immediately under the base of its towers, and even 
now at high tides the waves wash its walls. 

The building was originally of a square form, strengthened by 
large circular towers at each angle, one of which was disjoined, but 
had a commnication with the other part by means of a draw-bridge ; 
this is called the double tower. It appears from the present re- 
mains to have been much larger than the others, and consists of two 
concentric circular walls, each six feet thick, comprising between 
them an open space of twenty feet in diameter. This is certainly 
the strongest part of the Castle, and is denominated by Froissart, Le 
Donjon, to which the same historian informs us the unfortunate 
RicJiard the Second retired, as the place of the greatest security, 
when he was in danger of being taken by his rival Bolingbrohe. 

Its interior had a gallery, where persons might retire, as the der- 
nier resort; this had a sort of zigzag communication up and down, 
and was furnished with four arch openings : it also consists of a 
square area, about half an acre. The remaining pointed windows, 
on the west side, are sufficient to indicate that this, like many other 
ancient buildings, was altered according to the vogue of fashion. 
On the north-east side it has an out- work called the barbican, which 
consists of a square tower ; this probably was nothing more than a 
kind of postern. 

The period, when this Castle was originally erected, has been 
a question involved in obscurity and doubt. Camden* asserts 
that it was began by Henry the Second, in 1157, and finished by 
Edward the First. Lord Lyttleton, in his history of Henry, is of 
the same opinion; but Lealandf, who is a good authority on the 
subject, attributes its foundation to Edward the First ; he is fol- 
lowed by Fabian and Stowe. The late Mr. Pennant, who was Well 
versed in these things, was not satisfied as to the time, and frankly 
owns " that the founder of this Castle is uncertain." The proba- 
bility is, that subsequent to the signal defeat of Henry at Eulo, and 
the great dismay which followed at Coleshill, which is close by, this 
monarch, in order to cover his army and prevent such disaster in 
future, might have caused some sort of a fortification to be erected 
here, and then Edward afterwards, acquainted with the eligibility 
of the situation, as bordering on the sea, strengthened and enlarged 
it to its present form. This monarch resided here in 1277,J and 
re-built the °Castle,§ which shews that he was not the original 
founder but an enlarger. This enlargement must have been very 

* Gough's Camden, Vol II, 558. + Lealand Colect. Tom. II. 420. 

% Rymer, Vol. II. 86. \ Warrington's Wales, 470. 



27 

prejudicial to the men of Flint, for in 1281, among other grievan- 
ces, they complained " that the King builded the Castell on their 
soil," by which means " the noblest and the best of the countrie be 
injured ;" and, although the Justiciary had received the Royal 
mandate to " grant them remuneration of ground, equally in good- 
ness and quality," they did not receive " in lieu* neither land nor 
monie." The rolls of Edward notice this place very frequently. 

In the time of King Henry the Fifth, Flint Castle was in the 
possession of the Chamberlain of Chester, and he appointed Nicho- 
las Hawbuck Constable, who kept it, with four men at arms and 
twelve archers, at the expence of one hundred and forty-six pounds 
per annum.f 

An order was issued in 1280 for the custody of the gate, when 
the Constable, as the Governor, was appointed an annual salary 
of £10 a year. 

During the insurrection of Llywelyn and David, in 1280, the 
Welsh, wearied by a long series of oppression, took this Castle by 
surprise ; at the same time the South Wales Chieftains took the 
Castle of Aberystwyth : but Edward soon afterwards compelled them 
to fly in precipitation, leaving it undefended.^ 

In 1290 an order was issued for superintending the works of this 
fortress, as well as those of Rhuddlan, 

There is a chasm in history respecting the affairs of this fortress 
until 1311, when " the infatuated" and impotent Edward II. re- 
ceived the haughty but particular favourite, Piers Gaveston, who a 
little before was banished from the country for his ill deeds. This 
Piers so corrupted Prince Edward's principles, that his father 
obliged him to make a solemn oath never to suffer his return, and 
indeed the King's last admonition, on his dying bed, was that under 
pain of incurring his paternal malediction, he never should recal the 
banished Gaveston.^ When a King is guilty of such acts, how can 
he expect his subjects to obey his laws? for here we have an in- 
stance of royalty disobeying his parent's last injunction, and vio- 
lating his most sacred oath ! ! 

The next account we have of Flint Castle is in 1333, when Ed- 
ward the Third granted it, together with several other fortresses, to 
his son the Black Prince, and to his heirs the Kings of England. 
Two years after, 1335, the Black Prince was ordered, as Earl of 
Chester, to take into custody the Castle of Flint and Rhuddlan ; 
he was also required to furnish^ the same with men and provisions. 

* Poweli, 36. t M.S. Cleop F, 111. folio 1176. * Carte's England. Vol. II. 193. 

\ Henry's Britain, Vol VII. 117. IT Stowe, 214. Doddridge, 125. 



28 

Richard the Second, in 1385, granted this fortress, together with 
the Chief Justiciary of Chester, to the infamous Robert Vere, Earl 
of Oxford.* Fourteen years after it was surrendered to Percy, Earl 
of Northumberland, who basely deserted and treacherously in- 
veigled his sovereign. In this " dolorous Castell," as Hall styles it, 
was deposed the unfortunate, because inefficient, monarch Richard 
the Second. Through the hypocritical management of Percy, he 
was betrayed and put under the power of his rival Bolingbroke, 
who insidiously intimated that he only wanted an interview with the 
monarch for two exclusive purposes, which were to give the nation 
a Parliament and to have his own land restored to him. 

Richard's conduct on that occasion clearly shewed his weakness, 
as well as the wanton and deceitful villainy of the Earl. — 
The King, on his return from Ireland, was met by Percy at Con- 
way ; when he delivered the purport of his message, the King 
doubted much the sincerity of the Earl, but to remove all doubt, 
and to quiet the apprehension of his royal master, the Earl accom- 
panied him to church, attended high mass, and at the altar took the 
oath of allegiance and fidelity. This being done, the King proceeded 
with the Earl, but, to his sorrow, he soon perceived that a snare 
had been laid for him, and likewise the error that he had fallen into 
by placing his confidence in a sacramental oath ! In a defile, near 
the top of Penmaen Rhos, he saw a numerous band of soldiers, bear- 
ing upon their standard the Northumberland arms ! He was shocked 
at the appearance, and would have escaped from the decoy, but the 
Earl sprang forward, caught hold of the bridle, and forcibly di- 
rected his course onwards I In this dilemma the poor deluded 
Prince had only just time to reproach the vile wretch for his per- 
jury, by observing, that the God he had sworn to that morning 
would, at the day of judgment, amply retaliate the atrocious and 
blasphemous deed he had perpetrated that day. He caused his 
royal prisoner to stop at Rhuddlan for refreshment, and conveyed 
him with promptitude that evening to the Castle of Flint. 

The following morning Richard was greatly astonished by seeing 
a numerous army marching along the beech, and commanded by his 
rival the Duke of Lancaster, who, after surrounding the Castle, 
received the King with that mock appearance of respect which can 
only be necessary when the last act of cruelty is to be completed. — 
After dinner the King came down from the keep to meet Boling- 
broke, who, on the appearance of his sovereign, fell on his knees, 

* Grose's Antiquities of England and Wales. 



29 

with his cap in his hand ; this ceremony he repeated, and for some 
time assumed a dutiful and respectful conduct. The King, on see- 
ing this apparent act of submission, took off his hoode, and spoke 
first — " Fair cousin of Lancaster, you are right welcome." The 
Duke, who very courteously was still bowing, said " My liege 
Lord, I am come before you sent for me, the reason why I will 
shew you ; the common fame among our people is such, that ye 
have for the space of twenty years ruled them very rigorously, but 
if it please our Lord, I will help you to govern better." Then the 
King answered and said, " Sith it pleaseth you, it pleaseth me 
much." The Duke immediately threw off the mask, and adding 
insolence to infamy, "with a high sharpe voice badde bring forth the 
King's horses ; and then two little naggs, not worth forty francs, 
were brought forth." The King was set on the one, and the Earl 
of Salisbury on the other, and thus the Duke brought the King 
from Flint to Chester, where he was delivered to the Duke of 
Gloucester's son, who led him straight to the Castle.* 

As the immortal Shakespeare observed, " Kings are but elevated 
men," and, if the testimony of Froissart may be credited, Richard 
did not experience the ingratitude of man alone, but he received an 
additional sting from that portion of the brute creation which is 
supposed to be incapable of caprice : his favourite dog deserted him 
on this occasion, and, as if endued with the knowledge of his ap- 
proaching fate, after he was let loose, he went and fawned on his 
rival Bolingbroke ! 

The story is very singular, and as it relates to the transactions of 
this fortress I shall here insert it, as translated by that friend and 
furtherer of literature, Thomas Johns, Esq. M.P. Havod-uchdryd : — 

" King Richard had a greyhound called Math, beautiful beyond 
measure, who would not notice nor follow any one beside the King. 
Whenever the King rode abroad, the greyhoundf was loosed by the 
person who had him in keep, and ran instantly to caress him, by 
placing his two fore-feet on his shoulders. It fell out that as the 
King and the Duke of Lancaster were conversing in the court of 
Flint Castle, their horses being ready for them to mount, the grey- 
hound was untied, but instead of running as usual to the King, he 
left him and leaped to the Duke of Lancaster's shoulders, paying 
him every court, as he used to caress the King. The Duke, not 

* Stowe's Annals, 321. 

t The greyhound seems to have heen a famous prognosticator in these times, for when the armies 
of the two rivals, John of Montford and Charles de Blois, were on the point of engaging, Lord 
Charles's greyhound left him and caressed Montford who won the battle ' ! 



30 

acquainted with this greyhound, asked the King the meaning of all 
this fondness, saying ' What does this mean ?' ' Cousin, (replied 
the King) it means a great deal for you, and very little for me.' 
' How ! (said the Duke) pray explain it.' ' I understand by it (re- 
plied the King) that this greyhound fondles and pays his court to 
you this day as King of England, which you will surely he, and I 
shall be deposed, for the natural instinct of the dog shews it to you ; 
keep him therefore by your side, for he will now leave me and fol- 
low you.' The Duke of Lancaster treasured up what the King had 
said, and paid attention to the greyhound, who would never more 
follow Richard of Bourdeaux, but kept by the side of the Duke of 
Lancaster, as witnessed by thirty thousand men /" 

Henry the Sixth, in 1422, granted* to his mother, Lady Catha- 
rine, Queen of England, the crown fees of several villages and for- 
tresses ; among the rest she had the fees of the Castle and Town of 
Flint, then worth £46 3s. 4«f. per annum. 

It appears from a M.S. account^ p in the Harleian collection, that 
although this Castle did not suffer during Owain Glyndwr's insur- 
rection, yet several of the Flintshire men took up arms;): and joined 
their gallant countryman. Henry, Prince of Wales, added a jewel 
to the crown by procuring a pardon from his father to his tenants 
in these parts, who, under their patriotic delusion of ideal inde- 
pendence, had forfeited their allegiance by joining the rebellion. 

From this period nothing appears in any of our historic records 
respecting this fortress, until the civil wars in the reign of Charles 
the First, when this county took an active part in behalf of roy- 
alty. Sir Roger Mostyn was one of the first that took up arms in 
defence of his sovereign, against the rebellion of his subjects ; he 
was appointed Governor of Flint Castle, and after repairing and 
putting it in a defensible state, at his own expence, he garrisoned 
the same for the King. Whitelock, in his memoirs, makes this 
honourable mention of Sir Roger ; — " This Colonel Mostyn is my 
sister's son, a gentleman of good parts and mettle, of a very an- 
cient family, large possessions, and great interest in that county ; 
so that in twelve hours he raised fifteen hundred men for the King /" 
With these forces he took the Castle of Hawarden, and afterwards 
marched with his regiment into the City of Chester, then besieged 
by the rebel forces : but, I may add, like many others that joined 
their sovereign at that time, Sir Roger Mostyn suffered such pri- 

• See Rolls of Parliament at that time. t Haleian M.S. No. 2099. 

% Besides the Castles in this county, the old mansion called Gwasanau, near Mold, was garri- 
soned in the civil wars of that time for the King, and was taken by the Parliament General, Sir 
William Brereton. 



31 

vations that displayed much more real patriotism than ever was ex- 
hibited on the Parliamentary side ;* however justifiable the right of 
resistance might have been on one part, or the corrupt system of 
the existing government on the other. 

This Castle was closely besieged in 1643 by the Parliamentary 
forces, under the command of Sir William Brereton and Sir Thos. 
Middleton ; but was ably and nobly defended by Sir Roger Mos- 
tyn and his garrison during a long siege of great hardship, and 
though they had been reduced to the last necessity, even to live on 
horseflesh ! still they did not deliver it up till the King had sent a 
specific order to surrender, but their courage and bravery procured 
for them very favourable terms. 

Two years after this, about 1645, this fortress was retaken by 
the royalists, and, as appears by articles of convention, received an 
additional strength. The whole garrison from Beeston Castle, after 
a most gallant defence, capitulated, and was permitted to march to 
this place with all the honours of war. Notwithstanding this ac- 
cession of strength, the force was not equal to the one by which 
they were opposed, for on the 29th of August, 1646, it was sur- 
rendered to Major- General Mytton. The following year it was, 
like other important Castles in Wales, dismantled under a general 
order from the Parliament. 

Among other rights, on the restoration, Flint Castle was resumed 
by the crown, where it is still vested, and governed by a Constable, 
who, according to ancient royal grants, appears in the two-fold ca- 
pacity of civil and military, for he is both Governor of the Castle 
and Mayor of the Borough. This closes the affairs of Flint Castle. 

I shall now proceed to that of 

BASINGWERK CASTLE. 

The remains of this fortress are visible in the foundation of a 
wall near the turnpike road, and close by the commencement of 
Offas Dyke. Its founder was Richard, f son of Hugh Lupus Earl 
of Chester ; and the first notice we have of it is by Bradshaw, in 
his life of St. Werburgh, who informs us that Richard, after his 
return from Normandy, where he had been educated, was anxious 
to commence his reign with an act of piety ; consequently, in the 
year 1099, he attempted a pilgrimage to the Well of St. Wenefrede, 

• He speDt about £60,000 in the service of his country ! His house at Mostyn, which was gar- 
risoned for the royal cause, was stripped of all its valuables— was himself taken prisoner, confined 
for some time at Conway Castle, and after being released, he was obliged to desert his family 
mansion and retire for several years to a small farm-house, called Plat Ucha t 1 mile from Mostyn. 

t Lord Lyttleton's History of Henry II. 338. 



32 

which is close by, but, either on his journey thither or on his return, 
he was suddenly surprised, and was obliged to seek shelter at Bas- 
ingwerk Abbey. Tradition informs, that in this emergency he ap- 
plied to St. Wenefrede for advice and assistance ; the good Saint, 
anxious to relieve him from his difficulties, took his distressed state 
into serious contemplation, and, after putting her saintly power to 
work, miraculously raised certain sands between Flintshire and the 
opposite coast, by which means his Constable and men marched 
over the estuary to his relief; from this occurrence, that part of 
the sands still retain the appellation of the Constable's sands. 

The Castle was demolished in the reign of King Stephen.* In 
order to secure a retreat on any future disaster, Henry the Second, 
in 1157, after the ambuscade at Coed JSulo, re-built more strongly, 
fortified, and supplied it with a very powerful garrison ;f he also 
cleared all the passes, cut down the woods, which at that time were 
very dangerous, affording shelter, as he keenly experienced, to his 
enemies.^ After his defeat, Henry never would venture his army 
among our woods, but always marched his forces along the open 
land.§ 

The same monarch, profiting by late experience, left here another 
species of fencible forces, for he established a house of Knights 
Templars — a military order first instituted at the Holy Land, and 
introduced into England the preceding reign, for the protection of 
pilgrims that came to perform their vows to our patroness saint, 
who, at that time, was held in great reputation. 

This fortress was not of long existence, for the Welsh, aware of 
its importance in the hand of an enemy, looked upon it with a jealous 
eye, as detrimental to their liberty and a check to their proceedings. 
In order to remove this nuisance, our countrymen, in 1165, under 
their gallant Prince, Owain Gwynedd, laid siege to, and immediately 
took and levelled it to the ground;^ from which time this fortress 
occurs no more as a place of defence. 

About one mile higher up we come to the site of another fortress. 
This was called 

HOLYWELL CASTLE, 
And is situated in a field called Bryny Castell, close by the church ; 
the site is in an eligible situation as a place of defence, being very 

• History of Henry II. + Matthew Paris, 129. 

t Matthew Paris, 81. M S. Chronicle, from Brutus to the end of the reign of Edward IV. in 
St Peter's College, Camhridge. 
I Dr Powell's History of Wale*. IT Dr. Powell's History'of Wales, 223. 



33 

steep on two sides, and projecting over a little valley ; there are not 
at present any vestiges left. After a long quest of its founder, I 
find it thus noticed in the Archiology of Wales — " Yfloydyn honno 
1200 ydd adail-adddd iarll Kaer Lleon gastell Treffynon,"* which may 
be thus translated — " This year, 1200, the Earl of Chester built the 
Castle of Holywell." This Earl was Randulph, third Earl of 
Chester. 

The Castle was but of short duration, for in 1210, when King 
John was with his army in Ireland, Prince Llywelyn ap Jorwerth, 
entered the Earl's dominion ; among other exploits he destroyed 
this Castle, and returned home with great spoil. From that time 
it does not appear to have been the cause of any future contentions. 

The next in proximity is 

CASTELL TY MAEN. 

This fortress was situated on a great mount, now finely covered 
with fir trees, near Orsedd, in the parish of Whitford, and is said, 
T>y the Welsh antiquaries,! to have been the residence of Ednowain 
Bendew, or Ednowain the Thickskull, the founder of one of the 
fifteen tribes of North Wales, whose descendants still possess vast 
estates in this part of the country. Of the transactions connected 
with this Castle history is silent. 

From hence I proceed to 

CASTELL EDWIN. 

The site of this fortress is discernible on the top of Axton moun- 
tain, in the parish of Llanasa, and is to this day called Bryn y Cas- 
tell, or Castle Hill. When, or by whom, this fortress was built 
cannot be ascertained ; the place is not noticed by any of our histo- 
rians — even Mr. Pennant is silent on the subject. 

I find that, at the conquest, the whole of Flintshire, which was 
called by the Saxons Englefield, and afterwards by the Normans 
Atiscross, was in the possession of Edwin, last Earl of Mercia ; he 
was grandson to Howel Dda, and Lord of Tegeingl, and flourished 
about the year 1041 ; J he had a hall near North op, called Llys Ed- 
win, and the probability is, that as this fortress bears his name, he 
was the founder. 

In 1113, Hugh Lupus excited King Henry to prepare an army 
against Wales, complaining, among other things, that the men of 

• Archiology of Wales, Vol II. 444. 

+ Pennant, of Downing, and his companion the Rev. J. Lloyd, Caerwys. 

i Cambrian Biography. 



34 

Gronwy ab Owain ab Edwin, Lord of Tegeingl, had wasted the 
county of Chester. 

The situation is very eligible for a Castle, and admirably well 
adapted for a place of defence, being on the top of a hill, to which 
there is an ascent on every side for the space of nearly half a mile, 
so that it had a very decided advantage on all sides to guard against 
the enemy; this commands a view of nearly the whole range of the 
British posts. 

There is every reason to suppose that the great battle fought un- 
der the renowned Agricola, which completed the conquest of this 
country, and in which there was a great slaughter, took place near 
to this spot. In support of this conjecture, it may be observed, 
that on the west side, and on the brow of the hill which is close by, 
there is a place to this day called Bryn y Saethau, or the Hill of 
Arrows, probably from being the station of the archers in the en- 
gagement ; close to this is Bryn y Lladdfa, or the Hill of Slaughter, 
a name peculiarly appropriated to the site of battle ; and it may also 
be remarked, that great quantities of human bones have, from time 
to time, been found here, so much so, that the neighbouring farmers 
carry the soil for manure. I have been credibly informed by an eye 
witness, " that he saw a common spade put down in the earth up to 
the handle in nothing else but a mass of human bones !" 

A little below this again is Pant y Gwae, or the Hollow of Woe. 
Between this place and Mostyn, about one mile and a half distant, 
there is on an elevation a singular monument, denominated Maen 
Achwynfan, or the Stone of Lamentation and Weepiug, on which 
is cut some very curious figures ; the height of the stone is twelve 
feet, and two feet four inches wide at the base, the form is that of 
an ancient obelisk in the early ages of Christianity ; from the sur- 
rounding tumuli, there cannot be a doubt but that this monument of 
antiquity was erected as a memorial of the dead, probably for the 
heroes who were slain in the great battle before alluded to. 

The tumuli in the whole neighbourhood are quite observable, and 
their view must be a high treat to the curious traveller ; indeed, in 
no part of North Wales is to be seen such an assemblage of them. 
The great mount above Newmarket is a very fine tumulus, and the 
ridge of the hill from this to Bryn y Castett, is marked throughout 
with verdant tumuli.* The urns found in them prove to be sepul- 
chral ; human bones are found in some, and silver coinsf in others. 

* The number of large ones may be called twenty seven. 

t I am informed, that one T. Jones, of Axton, digged into one of the tumuli, and found an urn 
f till of silver coins ; he went and sold them, and, with the money he received, built himself a 
house : from this circumstance he is called Twm y Pot Coch, or The Red Fot Tom. 



35 

These circumstances are strikingly illustrative of the fact, that 
this neighbourhood has been the scene of some great slaughter and 
bloodshed ; and, there is no doubt but the victims who fell in this 
murderous conflict were the Ordovices, a tribe unquestionably one of 
the bravest of the ancient British nation, and who, as we are in- 
formed by Tacitus* and several other historians, defended their 
country and liberty against the Romans with the most heroic forti- 
tude, and were the last people in Britain unconquered by the con- 
querors of the world. 

From here I proceed to the next fortress in contiguity, which is 
PRESTATYN CASTLE. 

On an elevated spot, in a meadow not far from Nant Mill, are to 
be seen the few remaining vestiges of Prestatyn Castle, but they are 
so inconsiderable that it is impossible to form any idea of the ori- 
ginal form of the fortress. It was formerly surrounded by a foss, 
which is still seen at a certain distance from the Castle. 

The celebrated Pennant was of opinion, that it was originally 
built by the Welsh, but we are left in the dark as to the period 
when that took place. If our countrymen built it, their invaders 
must have wrested it from them, for in 1167 it was in the possession 
of Henry II. At this time the combined forces of Owain Givynedd 
and Rhys, Prince of South Wales, laid siege to it, but so strong 
was the garrison, and so obstinate the defence the English made, 
that three months had elapsed before our gallant countrymen accom- 
plished their objects. The destruction of this Castle by them, ap- 
pears to have completed their triumph over the English, who were 
now entirely dislodged from their conquests in Gwynedd.f 

The next in proximity is 

DYSERTH CASTLE. 

On the summit of a high rock, above Dyserth Church, stand the 
remains of this fortress ; of its early history little is known, not 
even its founder. It has had a variety of names, viz. Din Colyn, 
Castell y Ffailion, and Castell Gerri ;% these may truly be called 
Welsh names, and from which it is highly probable that it was 
originally a British post, and afterwards a Castle. 

The first notice we have of it, is in 1241, when Henry III. in 
order to strengthen the line of the Marches, caused it to be repair- 
ed, and, for the purpose of more tenacious defence, made some 
additions to it. Its existence was not of a long duration, for in 
twenty years after, about 1261, it was, with that of Deganwy, near 

. * Tacitus An. 1. 12, c. 31. t See Life of Owain Gwynedd. * Llwyd's Itinerary. 



36 

Conway, rased to the ground by_our countryman Llywelyn ap Gru- 
ffydd. Einion,* the son of Rhirid Flaidd, was slain at the siege of 
this Castle ; a cross was erected as a monument to his bravery, and 
the spot is to this day called Croes Einion. This cross was orna- 
mented with some very curious sculpture, and is now suppposed to 
form the stile into the church yard at Dyserth. 

1 must not pass by without noticing a curious circumstance that 
took place in the neighbourhood, between Sir Robert Pounderling, 
Constable of this Castle, and a valiant Welshman called Theodore. 
Sir Robert was celebrated for his prowess at tournaments, not only 
in brandishing a sword or handling a lance, but particularly so in 
the pugilistic art ; notwithstanding all this, at a tournament held in 
this county, the gallant Welshman accepted his challenge, and in 
the combat struck out one of Sir Robert's eyes. 

When a similar fete was proclaimed! to be held at the English 
Court, our countryman attended and challenged his old antagonist ; 
Sir Robert, profiting by past experience, declined the combat, which 
shewed that he not only possessed valour but prudence, alleging as 
a justifiable apology, that he felt no inclination, nor indeed had the 
least desire, to run the risk of having his other eye knocked out by 
a Welshman. 

The remaining vestiges of the Castle are very little interesting ; 
— they merely consist of a few shattered fragments of walls, 
round which the creeping ivy entwines itself — through its caverns 
the fox looks out for his prey — and on its ruins the lonely thistle 
shakes its head. Nothing is now heard to break the solemn silence 
that pervades these remains of antiquity, but the croaking of the 
raven, the crowing of the crow, and the shrieks of the owl. 

The vast masses of stone that lie about its foundation, shew that 
its destruction was not the effect of time, but was overthrown by 
mining apparatus, a practice in use previous to the discovery of 
gunpowder. 

I shall now proceed to give an account of the last of the Flintshire 
fortresses, which is 

RHUDDLAN CASTLE. 

The ruins of this long-famed and celebrated fortress have a fine 
appearance even at a distance, and when approached, the beholder 
is struck with awe, especially when the mind reflects upon the tran- 
sactions that took place in its precincts — the sight is solemn and 
impressive. Within these walls vibrated the voice of man, sound- 

• Hepgwrt M.S.S. t Leknd's Itinerary, Vol. XII. 21. 



37 

ing hilarity and grief in their turn. Here once lived the heroic 
Princes of Wales and their brave followers, employing their courage 
defence of the land of their nativity — beneath these splendid arches 
were tuned the ancient harps of Cymru, who 

" Gave to rapture all their trembling strings." 
Well might one of our modern bards exclaim, whilst viewing a 
similar ruin, 

" Y llwybrau gynt lie bu 'r gan, 
Yw lleoedd y ddylluan." 

In after times, here it was where dwelt ambition, ruling with a 
rod of iron — within these walls was practised that well known fraud 
when the haughty Edward deceived our countrymen, in promising 
them a Prince of their " own blood" — and here it was where he 
held his mock parliament and extinguished our independence ! In 
one of these cells was imprisoned the last of our Princes, where 
the savage conqueror caused him to lie in chains, and would not 
grant him a hearing — here it was where one kingdom fell, and 
another raised ; one Prince put up, and another set down ! 

Here it was where the pretended peace-maker, Archbishop Peck- 
ham, attempted to obtain that by duplicity and deceit, which he 
could not by uprightness and truth — and here it was where he 
thundered out his popish condemnation against our country. 

Instead of being the residence of the restless Edward and his 
warriors, who made our forefathers shudder with the clanging of 
their arms, now the hissing serpent glides along its passages — 
poisonous reptiles conceal themselves beneath the bushy brambles — 
and here the daw, and other birds of prey, protect their unfledged 
young ! 

The remaining vestiges proclaim its former magnificence ; they 
remind us of the pomp and grandeur of its possessors, now gone 
down to the dust — and they shew us the decay to which sublunary 
objects are destined, in spite of every effort to rescue them from 
the all-devouring gulph of oblivion. 

Its form nearly approximates to a square, and has six towers, two 
of them standing at the two opposite corners, and one at each of the 
other corners. One is called Twr y Brenin, (or the King's Tower) 
and the other, Twr y Silod ; these remain tolerably entire. The 
ditch that surrounds the Castle is both deep and wide, and faced 
with stone on both sides ; the escarpments towards the river were 
defended by steep walls, which enclosed an area nearly forming an 
octagonal shape, and its principal entrance seems to have been at 
the north-west angle. About two hundred yards to the south of 



38 

the Castle there is an artificial mount, the site of another fortress ; 
this, to all appearance, was of very early date. The conjecture 
would not be void of probability, were I to say that this was in 
being in 790, when the celebrated battle of Rhuddlan Marsh took 
place, and where our brave monarch, Caradoc, fell in defending his 
country against the famous Offa, King of Mercia, who is also said to 
have been slain in the conflict.* 

Two of our most celebrated historians were of opinion, that the 
original founder of this fortress was Llywelyn ap Seisyllt,\ who 
reigned over North Wales from 1015 to 1020, and who, they inform 
us, made this Castle his residence. It continued to be the seat of 
royalty until 1063, when Gruffydd ap Llywelyn gave offence to 
Edward the Confessor, by receiving one of his rebellious subjects. 
In retaliation for this offence, Harold, son of Edwin, Earl of Kent, 
took the Castle and burnt down the palace.J In this transaction 
Gruffydd had a very narrow escape for his life ; the English troops 
presented themselves at the gates before he was aware of the dan- 
ger, but fortunately for him, there was a vessel in the harbour, to 
which he fled with a few of his attendants, and the wind being in 
their favour, they escaped with safety.§ 

The Castle was soon restored and rebuilt by the Welsh, who 
continued to be its possessors until 1098, when Robert, a nephew 
to Hugh. Lupus, Earl of Chester, wrested it from them ; Robert, 
after this event, was surnamed de Rhuddlan : he received a man- 
date from William the Conqueror to refortify the place, which he 
did by erecting new works, and made it his military residence, by 
which means he was enabled to annoys the surrounding inhabitants 
and carry on his marauding system. 

While the Norman warrior was thus situated, he received a visit 
from Prince Gruffydd ap Conan, who earnestly solicited his aid 
against some foes by whom he had been assailed. Robert afforded 
him every assistance, but afterwards a quarrel took place between 
them ; the result was that Gruffydd attacked Robert in the Castle 
of Rhuddlan, took and burnt part of the building, and killed a 
great number of his men, so that very few escaped. || 

This grand barrier fortress was, by order of Henry II. repaired 
and furnished with a strong garrison ; and prior to his quitting the 

• His coffi a was discovered about one himdred years ago near Vaenol Vawr, and is now to be 
seen at Downing, the seat of David Pennant, Esq. 

t Powell's Annotations on Giraldus Cambriensis, item. Lib. 11. c. 10., and Gough's Camden, 
Vol II. 558. 

% Powell's Wales, 100. \ Matthew Westminster, 429. 

% Gough's Camden, Vol. II. 558. II Hanes Gruffydd ab Conan, in the Archiology of Wales, vol. 2. 



39 

country for a campaign in France, he gave it to Hugh Beauchamp. 
Notwithstanding all this, in 1 169, while Henry was engaged in his 
foreign wars, it was attacked by our gallant countrymen, Owain 
Gwynedd, his brother Cadwaladr, and Rhys ap Gruffydd ; and 
after two months' blockade, they took and dismantled it.|| It was 
again recovered by the English, and Henry bestowed it with 
Emma, his natural sister, on Dafydd ap Owen, son of Owain 
Gwynedd. 

In 1187, when Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, was preach- 
ing the crusade through Wales, he stopped at this Castle, and 
David entertained him " very nobly."f David must have resigned it 
to the English again, for we have an account, J that in the latter end 
of the reign of Richard I. about 1198, Ran die Blundeville, Earl of 
Chester, was suddenly and unexpectedly attacked here by a body of 
Welsh, and with an incompetent force lay in the greatest distress, 
until he was relieved by his Lieutenant, Roger de Lacy, who with 
great promptitude collected a great number of idle persons toge- 
ther, such as itinerant minstrels, fiddlers, tinkers, panders, &c. &c. 
with these he marched towards Rhuddlan ; the Welsh, observing at 
a distance an immense crowd, concluded it to be the English army, 
which induced them to fly in precipitation. The Earl, grateful for 
his deliverance, rewarded Lacy by appointing him Magisterium Om- 
nium Peccatorum et Meretricum Totius Cestreshire. 

In the time of Prince Henry, afterwards Henry the Fifth, this 
fortress belonged to the Chamberlain of Chester, and as such the 
Prince appointed Henry de Conway to be Constable thereof, which 
he kept with nine men at arms and thirty archers, at the expence of 
£4>22 15s. lie?. perannum.§ 

During the reign of King John, about the year 1214, this Castle 
was again besieged and taken by the Welsh, under their Prince 
Llywelyn ap Jorwerth. This fortress is noticed as being the last 
Castle King John held in this country, the Cambrians having en- 
tirely driven him beyond the frontiers.^ 

Llywelyn had married Princess Joan, daughter of King John, 
but owing to many imprudent acts committed by this monarch, and 
the wild disorder of his conduct, (happily for posterity) he convulsed 
every part of his dominion, and loosened every tie of duty or af- 
fection which bind the subject to the Prince. This conduct of John 

II Matthew Paris, 81. Powell, 208, 224. Littleton's Henry II. Vol II. 493. 
+ Giraldus Cambriences' Itin. 872. Sir R. C. Hoare's Edition XI. 134. 
t Leicester's History of Chester, 142. $ M.S. Cleop. Fr. 111. folio 1176. 

ff Powell's Wales, 270. Wynn's Wales, 237. 

L 



40 

brought on him the curse of Rome, and the Pope released Wales 
from the interdict under which it had lain ; he also absolved Llyw- 
elyn from the oaths of homage and allegiance* which he had taken 
at the late peace. The native spirit of our countrymen, after being 
confined in narrow limits by the agency of various causes, was now 
set on fire and burst through every restraint ; the Cambrian volcano 
poured down its irruptive violence and vengeance on the heads of 
their oppressors — Llywelyn laid waste the Marches with fire 
and sword, and made himself complete master of North Wales, 
which he retained for a considerable time. 

The next account we have of this fortress is in 1277, when 
Llywelyn ap Gruffydd refused to do homage to Edward the First. 
This monarch marched into Wales at the head of a very consider- 
able army, and amongst others he took this Castle. So important 
did the conqueror consider this strong hold, that previous to the 
accomplishment of his design, he made it the rendezvousf of all his 
forces destined for that purpose ; he sent thither a great quantity of 
ammunition and provisions for the support of the advancing division 
of his army. 

Llywelyn, knowing from experience of how much importance 
this fortress would be to his interest, in conjunction with his brother 
David, both being awake to a sense of their common danger, made 
a most vigorous attack upon it, which however proved unavailing. 
On the approach of the English army, our Princes were under the 
necessity of retreating, judging it more prudent to avail themselves 
of every opportunity of cutting off the detached parties of the 
enemy, than with unequal force to fight them in the open field.ij: A 
favourable opportunity offered itself not far from this fortress — the 
Cambrians put to flight a large detachment of the English army, 
and fourteen ensigns were taken in the conflict ; the Lords Audley 
and Clifford, the son of William de Valance, Richard de Arger- 
ton, and several other chiefs were slain.§ Edward himself was 
obliged to retire for protection to Hope Castle, a fortress^ he had 
lately taken. The result of this battle materially checked the pro- 
gress of the invader, so much so, that he was not able to perform 
any action of moment until the following autumn. 

In order to prevent the success of any future attempts of the 
Welsh, the King of England adopted every known method to ren- 

• Matthew Paris, 194. Annals Wavcrliences, 174. British Antiquities Revived, by Vaughan of 
Hengwrt, 26. 
t Matthew Westminster, 370. T. Walsingham, 6. Hollinshead II. 278-279. 
% Welsh Chronicle, 337. \ T. Wyke's Chronicle, 210. 

*T Welsh Chronicle, 372. Camden's Britanica, 688. 



41 

der this fortress impregnable ; for this purpose he strengthened the 
old works, and enlarged it much with new ones : this being done 
the English monarch made it his place of residence, and in 1282 
issued out orders from this Castle, to the Sheriffs of the adjacent 
counties, to raise and send to him, according to a fixed ratio, a 
number of hatchet men, who were to cut down the woods and form 
roads and passages for his army to advance to the interior ; without 
these securities his troops could not proceed any further with safety.* 

During these transactions, the crafty Peckham, Archbishop of 
Canterbury, was endeavouring to reconcile matters between the 
contending parties ; with this view he sent monitary letters, in the 
King's name, to Llywelyn and his brother David, in which he re- 
proved them for their late revolt, urged them to return to their al- 
legiance, and if they had any grievances to point them out, for all 
of which (if just) he would endeavour to obtain redress. The • 
domineering prelate at the same time intimated, that in case our 
Princes would not comply with his mandate, they should feel the 
power of an irritated nation, together with the severest censures of 
the holy church.f 

In answer to this Llywelyn thought proper to call a council, which 
was held at Aber, in Caernarvonshire ; after consulting together, he 
sent his memorial, written in a strain of eloquence that would not 
dishonour a Prince of the nineteenth century. He enumerated the 
various injuries that he and his people had received from Edward's 
ambition, and from the plundering ravages of delegated power ; he 
expressed this with firmness, and demanded justice, as far as the 
rights of nations and the spirit of the then existing treaties extend- 
ed, which the unjust conduct of the King of England had hitherto 
denied him.J Similar memorials were sent by David, the noblemen 
of Tegeingl, the men of Rhos,§ and most of the other chieftains 
in Wales, all complaining of injuries received — of the violation of 
the treaty — and of the cruelty and oppression of the English. 

The Archbishop delivered these memorials to the King, who was 
then at Rhuddlan Castle, and urged him to pay some regard to the 
complaints of the Welsh. The King's" answer was, " that though 
there was no excuse to be found for their conduct, yet he was still 
desirous of doing justice to their complaints." On the mildness of 
this answer, the prelate pressed the matter further, and in order to 

• Guthrie's History of England, Vol. I. 95. 

+ J. Rossi's Antiquities of Warwickshire, 163. T. Wyke's Chron. 110. Welsh Chron. 388. 
X Welsh Chronicle, taken from the Records of Canterbury. 

\ In 1281, the noblemen of Tegeingl's memorial contained, among a number of other griev- 
ances, the wrong done to the men of Merton, Llys Edwin, &c. &c. 



42 

bring things to a close, he requested the King would allow the 
Welsh chieftains free access to his presence, to unfold their own 
grievances and plead their own cause ; but the King's answer was 
very sophistical, and totally unworthy of such a Prince : he said 
" they might freely come and depart, if it should appear that injus- 
tice they ought to return in safety."* With this ungenerous reply the 
Archbishop hastened to Llywelyn to Snowden, and wished to re- 
present the matter as the present gracious disposition of the King ;f 
but the thing was too barefaced to be credited — our Princes were 
possessed of too much good sense to be cajoled with such deceit : 
besides, late experience had taught them better than to trust any 
matter of importance in the hands of the English. Llywelyn again 
called a council ; after much conference on the subject, they agreed 
that the design of the English monarch was to entrap them in a 
snare, and they saw that all that was dear to free-born Britons was 
at stake ! and that this was the time for manly resistance. Fired at 
Edward's behaviour, Llywelyn (as hest became an injured Prince) 
invoked his followers to join him to defend their country and their 
liberties to the last moment of their lives, rather than submit and 
yield their obedience to a merciless ravager. The following verse 
of the Bard;): of Snowden to his countrymen, strongly represents 
the conduct of Llywelyn on that occasion : — 

" Sons of Snowden, yours the meed. 

Like Britons live, like Britons bleed; 

Your Country, Parents, Children, save, 

Or fill one great and glorious grave ! /" 
Prince Llywelyn sent the prelate back with the following manly 
but generous reply, " That as the guardian of his people's safety, his 
conscience alone should direct his submission ! Nor would he consent to 
any compliance which might derogate from the dignity of his station /" 

The pride and indignation of the haughty Edward would natu- 
rally be raised to a high pitch, on receiving such an answer from a 
Prince so inferior in power, but certainly far superior in talents, § 
spirit, and patriotism. When the answer was made known to the 
English monarch, he indignantly declared " that no other terms should 
be offered in future, but the entire unconditional submission of Llywelyn 
and his people" 

All negotiations were now at an end— rthe Archbishop, no longer 

• Welsh Chron 363-4. t Ibid. 3(34. t R. Llwyd's, Esq. of Chester, Vol. of Poems. 

I I am informed that the original documents which passed between these Princes' were com- 
pared by the Keeper of the Records at the Tower, and that Lly weJyn's language and spirit was far 
superior to that of Edward. 



43 

treading the paths of benevolence in the rights of this injured peo- 
ple, pronounced them accursed, and thundered against them the 
whole force of ecclesiastical denunciation. 

The King of England was now determined to subdue, and if pos- 
sible to crush, every spark of independence in that country, which 
hitherto no courage could conquer — no authority restrain — nor no 
foreign laws keep in subjection. Edward issued out writs from 
Rhuddlan to all his Lieutenants of Counties — summoned all the 
Sheriffs of England to make extra preparations — and then convened 
the whole power of Great Britain ! And for what design ? To 
oppose a patriotic Prince of Wales, who, together with a remnant 
of his followers were asserting their independence in the laud of 
their forefathers, all adopting as it were, with one voice, that no- 
ble sentiment of the Bard — 

" And whilst our arms and hands can save us, 

Never shall their chains enslave us, 

But the rights our fathers gave us, 

We will keep or die /" 
The situation of our countrymen here claims every sympathy and 
admiration ; and to see a band of heroes stationed on the only moun- 
tain left them, calmly asserting their rights, and for the last time 
struggling for their freedom, is truly affecting. The courage and 
bravery of the Cambrians here is admirable ! Resolved with Spartan 
fortitude to defend their national liberties, or die in the attempt ! 

The great and warlike appointments, and the extensive prepara- 
tions made throughout England, mark the eager spirit of Edward, 
as well as the difficulty he entertained of conquering the Principa- 
lity of Wales — whose strength was only as one-twelfth to that of 
England. 

While these preparations were making, Llywelyn went to South 
Wales to endeavour to get fresh resources, and left his brother 
David in possession of Snowden. Edward, in the mean time, ral- 
lied his forces, collected his army together, and on the first of No- 
vember left Rhuddlan and advanced as far as Conway. 

But an event soon followed which closed the life, but not the 
glory of our renowned Llywelyn ; after a long struggle, in an un- 
equal contest, our Prince fell in that noble and glorious work of de- 
fending the rights of his country. It is supposed that he was be- 
trayed by Rhys ap Maredydd, a South Wales chieftain, and one 
Adam de Francton plunged his spear into the body of the unarmed* 

• Henry de Knyghtcra de Event, Aug. 2464. Humphrey Llwyd's Breviaiy. Welsh Chronicle, 
347. Hollinshead, 281. 



44 

and defenceless Llywelyn ; elated with the triumph he had thus 
achieved, he severed the Prince's head from his hody, and despatch- 
ed it to Edward, who was then at Conway. The bleeding trophy 
was received by the King- with barbarous exultation, totally unwor- 
thy of a magnanimous Prince. That he should rejoice in the fall of 
such a formidable enemy was not unnatural, but the insult offered 
to his mangled remains was unpardonable, a true picture of cruelty 
and tyranny. The event gave additional courage to the English, 
and before the Welsh could repair the loss they sustained by the 
death of their Prince, the enemies followed up their victorious ca- 
reer, took possession of Snowden, the Castle of Dolbadarn, and 
routed the Welsh in all directions ; thus in confusion and dismay, 
they fled on every side — rocks, woods, and caves were the shelter* 
of the remaining part of the Cymry — they were vigorously pursued 
with fire and sword, and the inoffensive as well as the unresisting 
natives were slaughtered without mercy. An ancient historian has 
observed, that more than three thousand perished in this dreadful 
carnage !f What generous lover of his country, who reads this 
tragic history, but would pronounce over the manes of these brave 
defenders of their country the emphatic sentiment of the poet, 

" Rest, ye brave dead ! 'midst the hills of your sires ; 

Oh ! who would not slumber, when freedom expires ! 

Lonely and voiceless your halls must remain, 

The children of song may not breathe in the chain. ,f — Hemans. 
Prince David managed to conceal himself and family for some 
months after, almost famished for want of provisions ; in this di- 
lemma, two| of his retainers, who are supposed to have been bribed 
by the English, treacherously delivered their Prince to Edward's 
ambition, and on the night of the 21st of June he sent a detach- 
ment of his army, and took David and his family in a morass.§ This 
Prince, with his wife, two sons, and seven daughters, were brought 
prisoners to Rhuddlan Castle, where the King then resided.^ 

David was examined at Rhuddlan, and several very curious re- 
lics were found upon him ; among the rest was one called Croes- 
enydd,\\ or a part of the real cross of Christ, highly venerated by 
the Princes of Wales, and the crown of the celebrated King 
Arthur, || || which, with several others, were taken from him and 
delivered to the King. 

• Polidore's Virgil, 324 Hollinshead, 382. + Polidore, 282. 

X Einion ap Ivan and Goronwy ap Davydd. I Ryraer, Vol II. 247. IT Matthew Westminster, 177- 
H J. Rossi's Ant. Warw. 202 See Annals Waverliences, 238. 
Illl Ntnnius says that Prince Arthur brought a part of the real cross from the Holy Land. 



45 

In this deserted situation, our Prince requested he might see the 
King, but, after many solicitations, the indulgence was denied 
him |* he was imprisoned for a while at this Castle, and afterwards 
sent in chains to Shrewsbury, where he was condemned to five 
different punishments, and those cruel in the extreme.f 

The death of David closed the sovereignty of the ancient British 
empire, which, according to the Cambrian Records, continued from 
the first coming of Brutus, 1136 before Christ, to 1282 after Christ, 
a period combining not less than two thousand four hundred and eigh- 
teen years ! When we consider this, we cannot be surprised at the 
resolute courage with which they rallied around the standard of 
their independence ; a reflection on their patriotic perseverance, even 
at this distant period, is enough to awaken in our breasts the emo- 
tions of sympathy and regret. 

The ancient Britons bravely withstood the army of Imperial 
Rome, and ably resisted the utmost efforts of the Picts, Scots, and 
Saxons, and through various changes of fortune, afterwards suc- 
cessfully resisted the Norman Princes. 

But it is not to their valarous spirit alone, that I would call the 
attention of the reader ; there are other circumstances that claim 
our admiration. The virtues and hospitality of the people — the 
simple and unsophisticated manners by which they were distin- 
guished — and an enthusiastic fondness for their national music, are 
in themselves a sufficient testimony to the nobility of their character. 
These good qualities were united with an ardent love of liberty, 
contentment in their situation, and a strong attachment to their 
native mountains. Though they had no ambition to add to their 
own territory, by aggressions upon that of their neighbours, they 
were forced into a long and unequal contest in defence of their na- 
tive rights. 

The King of England having at length reached the height of his 
ambition, in the final conquest of Wales, annexed it to that of 
England, and in order to secure the obedience of the newly sub- 
dued country, and rivet the fetters he had put on, Edward intro- 
duced English jurisprudence, divided North Wales into counties, 
and appointed proper officers to enforce the obedience of his reluct- 
ant subjects. 

In order to further his designs and accomplish his projects, the 
Conqueror took up his residence at Rhuddlan Castle, and there 
promulgated the famous bodyf of laws called " The Statutes of 

• J Rossi's Aut. War. 166. + See Carte, 195, from the Chronicles of Dunstable. 

% Leges Walia, 542. Welsh Chronicle, 377. 



46 

Rhuddlan.* \ From this ancient fortress he issued out a proclama- 
tion to all the inhabitants of Wales, pledging himself that he would 
take them under his protection, and at the same time giving- them 
assurances that they should enjoy their ancient land and liberties as 
heretofore, reserving for himself only the same rents, duties, and 
service, which were always claimed by the Princes of Wales.;}: 

Edward soon forfeited his hollow promises in this instance, for he 
granted to his followers a considerable portion of the best land in 
the Principality ; he gave the Lordship of Ruthin to Reginald de 
Grey — the Lordship of Denbigh to the Earl of Lincoln — and all 
his other adherents were amply rewarded for their service by the 
grants of vast estates.§ 

With a view to conciliate the minds and redress the grievances of 
the Welsh Clergy, Edward sent for the Archbishop of Canterbury 
to come to Rhuddlan, who issued out orders for repairing the dif- 
ferent churches that had been injured by the late war. The King 
also made a recompence to " Master Richard Barnard, Parson of 
Rhuddlan," for some land taken from him previous to his enlarging 
the Castle.^r 

For the injuries done to the inhabitants of Rhuddlan during the 
war, Edward made this town a free borough, and granted it great 
privileges; as a further proof of his good will, he attempted|| to 
remove the See of St. Asaph to Rhuddlan, but to this the Pope 
would not give his consent. 

These liberal and lenient measures were a wise policy in Edward, 
but the subsequent introduction of foreign laws and rigorous treat- 
ment, supported by other harsh and oppressive measures, were not 
at all likely to suit a people sore with injuries, and so attached 
to their native Princes. It may still be affirmed, however, that in 
no part of the busy transactions of Edward's life, did he display a 
greater depth of policy than he did in the preservation of his newly 
acquired territory. Some times he flattered and soothed the vin- 
dictive spirit of the fiery Cambrians, and at other times he punished 
with rigour their unbending obstinacy; in these alternate fits of 
kindness and severity, he experienced much difficulty in curbing the 
eager patriotism of our contrymen. Though he had done away 
with the royal power of Wales — vanquished the brave and generous 

* Though these Statutes are very little attended to, either by lawyers or historians, the learned 
Judge Barrington says that they deserve particular attention. They not only inform us what were 
the customs in Wales at that time, but likewise the remedy provided by the law of England. 

+ There is a M.S. of this law in the Hengwrt Collection --Llwyd's Archiology. 

% Henry de Knyghton de Event Ang. 2465. Rymer, II. 277. Welsh Chronicle 374. 

\ Welsh Chrouiclc, 377. IT Rot. Wallia, 75. II Carte, Vol. I. 196. 



47 

Llywelyn — exposed his lifeless head to the derision of the multi- 
tude — and cruelly murdered his brother David — he still found that 
the Welsh would not willingly bend their knee to one whom they 
looked upon as an usurper of their rights and privileges. They 
promised him submission, however, providing he would govern them 
in person, or that they were willing to be governed by a chieftain 
of their own country, but firmly declared that they would yield no 
obedience to any person who was not born in Wales and resided 
among them. At last their wishes were gratified ; the idea struck 
Edward that his Queen was pregnant, and he instantly sent orders 
for Eleanor to come to Wales. Though it was then in the depth 
of winter, and the season severely cold, he caused her to be re- 
moved to Caernarvon Castle, the place .designed for her accouch- 
ment. Notwithstanding her advanced state of pregnancy, her deli- 
cate and critical situation, she performed her journey on horseback ! 

A little before the time of the Queen's delivery, Edward issued 
a proclamation that he would hold his Parliament* at Rhuddlan, for 
the purpose of taking into consideration the best mode of securing the 
public welfare of Wales ; and he particularly desired all the Welsh 
chieftains to meet him there. Edward delayed to call them into 
council until Sir Gruffyth Llwyd (Knighted on the occasion) brought 
the news of his having a son born at Caernarvon on the 25th of April. 
He immediately commanded the attendance of the Welsh chief- 
tains, and there practised his well known fraud and deceit ; he com- 
menced his harrangue by stating, that in consequence of their long 
expressed desire to have a Prince, a native of their own country, 
if they would promise obedience to the one he named he would in- 
dulge them by nominating a person whose life had hitherto been irre- 
proachable, one who was born among them and could not speak a 
word of English.f The Welsh eagerly assented to acknowledge 
such a person for their future ruler ; but little did they think, when 
expressing their acclamation of joy, and tendering unbounded pro- 

* There is now standing at Rhuddlan a part of the wall of the house wherein Edward I. held his 
Parliament. The late Dean Shipley of St. Asaph, at the instance of the Rev. Henry Parry, Llanasa, 
caused a tablet to be placed upon it, with the following inscription: 
This Fragment 
Is the Remains of the Building 
Wherein King Edward the First 
Held his Parliament, 
A D. 1283 ; 
In which was passed the Statute of Rhuddlan, 
Securing 
To the Principality of Wales 
Its Judicial Rights 
And Independence. 
t Stowe's Ann*l«, 203, Powell, 376. 

M 



mises of obedience, who this Prince should be, when the King in- 
formed them that their future Prince was his own son, born in Caer- 
narvon Castle a few days before I ! Their surprise was great, but 
as they were bound by the letter of their promise, they submitted, 
and the only consolation left was the hope of the young Prince mak- 
ing his residence among them, which with tolerable magnanimity 
assisted them to sustain their disappointment. 

The King and his Queen must have resided in this Castle for 
many months after this, for in 1284 Princess Eleanor* was born 
here. The finishing of this stupendous work occupied a consider- 
able time, as in 1291 there was an orderf for overlooking its works. 

Notwithstanding the drains which a continued warfare had made 
from this country, it still remained very populous, for Edward po- 
litically raised fifteen thousand men from these parts in aid of his 
Scottish expedition %% but unwilling soldiers are not like volunteers, 
and the consequence nearly proved fatal to him- Owing to national 
prejudices, frequent quarrels took place between the English and 
Welsh troops, and in the end (but not before some mortal conflicts 
had occurred) the Welsh separated themselves from the English, 
and left them " to fight their own battles."§ 

The next account we have of this fortress is in 1322, when Sir 
Gruifydd Llwyd, owing to the rapacity of the Lords Marchers, cre- 
ated and headed an insurrection, and attempted to recover the lost 
liberty of the country. He over-ran North Wales, and took several 
Castles ; but at last he was taken prisoner, confined in Rhuddlan 
Castle, and afterwards executed. 

Richard II. dined at this fortress in 1399, on his way to Flint 
Castle, where he was delivered by the Earl of Northumberland into 
the power of his rival Bolingbroke.^ 

The crown fees of the Castle and " Vill of Rotlielane" were 
granted to Catherine Queen of England, in 1422, by her son Henry 
VI.; they were then worth 42/. 12s. 6d.\\ 

The fortress was totally neglected from this time until the civil 
wars of Charles, when it was occupied by the Royalists, but after a 
short siege the garrison was obliged to surrender to General Myt- 
ton in July, 1646. The same year it was, by order of Parliament, 
dismantled, together with several other Castles. 

According to the plan set out, this fortress is the last in rotation 
for disquisition, and consequently ends the subject of this Essay. 

• Fuller's Worthies of Wales. + Rot. Wallia, 98. % Carte, Vol II. 264. 

\ Balrymple's Annals of Scotland, Vol. II 257. IT Stowe, 321. 
II Rolls of Parliament at that time. 



49 

But I cannot for a moment deny myself the pleasure of connecting 
therewith a narration of events, illustrating the national worth 
and character of my countrymen, who have been as memorable 
for their uniform loyalty to the crown since the union, as they were 
tenacious of their rights and privileges before that event took place. 

There is no portion in the whole history of Wales of deeper in- 
terest than that which records the subjugation of our country by 
England ; nor is there any circumstance more likely to excite the 
feeling of the Welsh patriot, than a reflection upon the sturdy and 
unyielding valour with which his ancestors maintained so long and 
unequal a struggle in defence of their country. But I shall now 
endeavour to throw a veil over the hostile warfare that took place 
between the ancient Britons and their oppressors, the latter of 
whom, by their superior physical resources, crushed the glowing 
patriotism of Cambrian courage. 

We, however, acknowledge with gratitude " that we were con- 
quered to our gain, and undone to our advantage." When English 
generosity appeared, Welsh loyalty increased ; our countrymen soon 
found out that the change was beneficial. Instead of precarious li- 
berty, they now began to enjoy a permanent and solid freedom, 
secured by equal and fixed laws, and established under one august 
monarch. We shall find the remnant of the ancient British nation, 
after being the victims of ambition for so many centuries, now 
rivalling their conquerors in their duties as loyal subjects, und unit- 
ing in interest and mingling in friendship with their old enemies — 
at last both nations cemented together and became one. Now the 
highest point of ambition is, who shall be the most useful to the 
arts and best affected to the British crown ! 

Though the population of London alone is greater than that of all 
Wales, we cannot give up the high claim our country has to the pro- 
duction of men of erudition, patriotism, and talent ! I would have our 
English friends know, that they have derived more benefits and ad- 
vantages from Welshmen than is generally apprehended. Let not 
my country blush when I mention the names of a few of her dis- 
tingushed sons, who have contributed so largely to the welfare of 
Britain. An eminent sage of the lawf hath affirmed, that our ad- 
mirable system of jurisprudence — the present laws of England — 
were first instituted by a Welshman, Dyfnwal Moelmud ; he also 
says that no material changes have been made in that system, either 
by the Banians, the Saxons, Danes, or Normans ; if that be the 

• Vaughan of Hengwrt. t Sir John Fortescue, Laudibus Legum ADglia. 



50 

case, I consider that from a Welshman we have received the justly 
boasted constitution of the empire ! 

The arts and sciences of England are indebted to a Welshman, 
Asser Menevensis, at whose instance the Great Alfred first founded 
the University of Oxford ! 

The people of England, and all who have respect to the word of 
God, are indebted to a Welshman, Tyndal, for the first transla- 
tion of the Bible into the English Language ! Mr. Horn Took 
calls it the immortal translation, and the standard of the language. 

The commercial interests of England are indebted to a Welsh- 
man, Sir Richard Clough, at whose suggestion Sir Thomas Gres- 
ham first built the Royal Exchange, in London 

The inhabitants of the Metropolis (no one ought to be ignorant 
of this) are for ever indebted to a Welshman, Sir Hugh Myddleton, 
of Denbigh, who, at the expence of his own ruin, caused a river of 
spring water to run into that great City. This useful and vital 
fluid rushes through thousands of ramifications, and supports the 
life of its inhabitants I 

1 should be wanting in gratitude were I to omit mentioning the 
valuable services of another illustrious Welshman, Sir Wm. Jones, 
who left his own country for the benefit of millions of his fellow crea- 
tures in a distant climate. I shall not dwell on the extraordinary dili- 
gence with which he laboured in the mines of jurisprudence, neither 
shall I enter into any particulars respecting his wonderful pursuits in 
the study of Oriental learning ;* his very volumnious works, now 
before the public, are a sufficient proof to convince the world of his 
pre-eminence in both. Rather than I should be charged with par- 
tiality, in over-rating the merits of this bright ornament of human 
society, I shall here repeat the language of Sir Robert Chambers, 
his successor in the Presidential Chair of the Asiatick Society at 
Calcutta, who, in eulogising the character of my countryman, said 
" If ever the English settlement in India shall add to the splendour 
of their prosperity in commerce and war, the honour and pride of 
having, beyond all former example, communicated to Europe the 
wisdom and learning of Asia, for that well-earned honour, that just 
principle of honest pride, they must own themselves indebted to 
Sir William Jones." 

Nor is it unworthy of remark, that the inhabitants of Great 

* His wonderful capacity for the acquisition of languages has never been exceeded, he knew no 
less than thirty-three ; his proficiency in these particulars has been, and is the subject of admira- 
tion and applause : even the most enlightened professors of the doctrines of Brama confess with 
pride, delight, and surprise, that his knowledge of their sacred dialects was most correct and pro- 
found ! 



61 

Britain, in a considerable degree, are indebted to Welsh blood for 
the salvation of this country ! I allude to the great General of the 
age, the Duke of Wellington, who, when he was President of the 
Cambrian Society in London, publicly declared that he "felt proud 
in acknowledging, that he had Welsh blood running through his veins /" 
And, though last not least, it is a fact that the throne of England 
is indebted to a Welshman, Henry VII. grandson to Sir Owain 
Tudor , for amicably uniting the houses of York and Lancaster, and 
adding to this realm, without the shedding of blood, the kingdom 
of Scotland ! By Henry's marriage with the heiress of York, he 
united the two rival houses, and by that of his daughter with James 
IV. of Scotland, were united the two rival nations ! 

From Henry's loins, in the female line, has sprung our present 
excellent sovereign George IV. Thus the three nations are united 
together, and the British Isles are eventually placed under one head ; 
and in that head aboriginal rights — the claims of connexion — and 
the pretensions of conquest are happily concentred. 

I eulogize the deeds of some of my distinguished countrymen, 
not with a view of provoking unhallowed jealousy, or sowing the 
seeds of discord, but for the purpose of shewing our English friends 
that, while we as Welshmen cheerfully acknowledge the benefits our 
country has derived from its annexation to the crown of England, 
the blessings of incorporation have been reciprocal. Henceforward, 
therefore, the sons of Albion, Erin, Caledonia, and Walia, may 
harmoniously join in the noble sentiment of the Bard — 
" The Shamrock of Erin, so brilliant and green, 
Entwined with the Leek and the Thistle has been ; 
Oh ! may they for ever a safeguard compose, 
To shelter from danger Old England's fair Rose : 
And grant that Great Britain, for ever may be, 
. The terror of tyrants, the friend of the free : 
Mewn awenfwyn lawen byw byth y bo hi / /" 

GWLADGARWR. 



TRAETHAWD 

AR 

ANGENRHEIDRWYDD CYFRAITH 

I 

GYNNAL MOESAU DA ; 

GAN 
MR. SAMUEL ROBERTS, LLANBRYNMAIR. 

" Salus populi suprema lex." 



CYJSINWYSIAD. 



Dangosir bod gweithredoedd ac ymddygiadau y goruckaf- — Drygi- 
oni colon dyn — Natur cyfansoddiad cymdeithas — A Hanes gwahanol 
genedlaethau y byd, yn cyduno i egluro natur, i gadarnhau gwirionedd, 
ac i arddangos pvoysfawrogrwydd y gosodiad dan sylw. 



TRAETHAWD. 



I DESTUN mdr bwysig, wedi ei eirio mdr ddealladwy, afreidiol 
fyddai Rhaglith. 

" Moesau da" ydyw ymddygiad addas dyn, yn mhob perthynas, 
fel aelod cymdeithas ; a " Chyfraith" ydyw rheol osodedig ei ym- 
ddygiad fel y cyfryw, a bygythiad o gosp am drosedd yn gefnogiad 
iddi. 

Dengys Gweithredoedd ac Ymddygiadau y Goruchaf — Drygioni 
calon Dyn — Natur cyfansoddiad Cymdeithas — a Hanes cenedlaethau 
y byd, bod Cyfraith yn angenrheidiol i gynnal moesau da. 

I.-Canfyddir hyn yn holl Weithredoedd ac Ymddygiadau Llywydd 
doeth y bydoedd. Uniondeb ydyw egwyddor sylfaenol ei natur, a 
pherffeithrwydd trefn ydyw nodweddiad gogoneddus ei weithred- 
oedd oil. Y mae yn llywodraethu mewn doethineb yr hyn a greodd 
mewn daioni. Gwelir yn holl ranau y Beirianwaith " olwyn yn 
troi mewn olwyn" gan bardd-ddangos y cywreinrwyddd cysonaf. 
Yn yr eangder diderfyn o'n hamgylch, myrdd myrddiynau o heuliau 
a ser a gylch-droant yn rheolaidd, yn ol eu deddfau priodol, gan 
fwynseinio y beroriaeth felysaf yn astud glust y bydoedd. Rhwymir 
hyfrydwch Pleiades, a datodir rhwymau Orion ; dygir allan Maz- 
zaroth yn eu hamser, a thywysir Arcturus a'i feibion wrth reol ac 
mewn doethineb. Byddinir y ser gan Jehofa, geilw hwynt oil wrth 
eu henwau, ac ni phalla un. Edwyn yr haul ei osodiadau a chyf- 
lawna y ddaear ei chylch-droion, mewn modd rheolaidd, gan dywys 
yn olynol ei thymhorau a'i blynyddoedd. Efe a roddes ei ddeddf i'r 
mor i fod yn attalfa i ymchwydd llifeiriol ei donau. Gwisgodd oleuni 
fel dilledyn, a sefydlodd orseddfainc ei frenhin-llys yn y nefoedd ar 
balmant o berlau. Cyhoeddodd ei gyfraith Ian yn nghlyw seraphiaid 
ac angylion, a gwisgodd gleddyf daufiniog cyfiawnder er amddiffyn 
ei gogoniant. Deolodd ei throseddwyr o drigfanau hyfrydlawn 
Paradwys gan eu cloi mewn cadwynau tragywyddol, dan dywyllwch 
hyd farn y dydd mawr. Hysbysodd, wedi hyny, i ddynion egwydd- 
orion ei lywodraeth. A chan ymofidio yn ei galon wrth weled eu 
haml ddrygioni, claddodd ar unwaith fyrdd o wrthryfelwyr yn 
ninystr ofnadwy tonau'r diluw. Cododd drachefn o Seir, ymlewyrch- 
odd o fynydd Paran, disgynodd mewn cerbyd o dan ar ben Sinai ; 
N 



daeth gyda myrddiwn o weinidogion ei lys, a thanllyd u . gyfraith" 
o'i ddeheulaw. Ysgrifenodd yr unrhyw a i fys ei hun ; a chyda sain 
udgorn a Uef geiriau, archodd ei chyhoeddi i'r holl bobl, ei selio a 
gwaed, a'i chadw, mewn arch o aur, dros oesoedd tragywyddol. 
Rhoddodd, wedi hyny, " orchymyn ar orchymyn" er " cynnal 
moesau da," gan eglur arddangos, yn ei holl ymddygiadau, fod 
ufudd-dod i'r gyfraith yn hollol angenrheidiol er dedwyddwch ac 
anrhydedd dyn. Ac, yn ddiweddaf oil, yn lie gwneuthur ei gyfraith 
yn ddirym, o'i wir gariad at droseddwyr euog, aberthodd, heb arbed, 
Oen anwyl ei fynwes, ar allor cyfiawnder, er dangos i'r bydoedd 
gadernid ei orsedd, dysgleirdeb ei goron, ac uniondeb ei gyfraith. 

II. — Ymddengys " Angenrheidrwydd cyfraith i gynnal moesau 
da" yn wyneb mawr ddrygioni calon dyn. 

Ardystia genau y gwirionedd ei hun bod calonau plant dynion yn 
Uawn ynddynt i wneuthur drwg ; a bod holl fwriad meddylfryd eu 
calonau yn unig yn ddrygionus bob amser. Er cael y driniaeth orau, 
a'r gwrteithiad brasaf — yn He grawnwin— y maent yn dwyn grawn 
gwenwyn. Eu calori anneallus hwy a dywyllwyd. Er tybied eu 
bod yn ddoethion, aethant yn ffyliaid. Newidiasant ogoniant yr 
anllygredig Dduw i gyffelybiaeth llun dyn llygredig, ac ehediaid, ac 
ymlusgiaid, a phedwar-carnolion. Ymroddasant i wyniau gwarthus 
gan wneuthur brynti. Ymlanwasant a phob anghyfiawnder, godineb, 
anwiredd, cybydd-dod, drygioni, cenfigen, llofruddiaeth, cynhen, 
twyll, drwg-anwydau ; yn hustyngwyr, yn athrodwyr, yn gas gan- 
ddynt Dduw, yn drahaus, yn feilchion, yn ffrostwyr, yn ddychym- 
mygwyr drygioni, yn anufuddion i r'ieni, yn anneallus, yn dorwyr 
ammod, ynangharedig, yn anghymmodlawn, yn annhrugarogion ; — ie, 
gwyrasant oil ; aethant i gyd yn anfuddiol ; bedd agored y w eu ceg ; 
au tafodau y gwn aethant ddichell ; gwenwyn aspiaid sydd dan eu 
gwefusau. Buan yw eu traed i dywallt gwaed. Distryw ac aflwydd 
sydd yn eu holl ffyrdd : ac er gwybod fod y cyfryvr bethau yn haeddu 
marwolaeth, cyd-ymfoddlonant ynddynt. Ymhyfrydant mewn gwaed 
a dinystr, ac ymwerthant i wneuthur drwg. Defnyddir hael-roddion 
cysurawl y nef i andwyo dynoliaeth. Distryw ydy w tueddbeniad y 
difyr-gampau mwyaf dewisedig. Mynych y gwelir creulondeb — yn 
lie sancteiddrwydd — yn argraphedig ar fFrwynau y meirch; ac 
ysgelerder — yn lie diniweidrwydd — ar addurn y cerbydau. Cynhen 
a chabledd ydyw cylch plethedig y chwareufwrdd. Boddir y syn- 
hwyrau cyflymaf a'r tehnladau tyneraf mewn glythineb a meddwdod. 
Gwisgir gwen dichell, arferir geiriau teg, a thrwy dwyll sarphaidd, 
hud-ddenir y forwyn brydweddol i aberthu ei diweirdeb ar allor 
chwant, ac i werthu ei hanrhydedd a'i chysur am ddifyrwch munud 



57 

awr : yna cefnir ami yn ei hadfyd, diystyrir yn ysgornllyd ei chwyn- 
ion a'i dagrau, a gwneir ei hing a'i chyfyngder yn destun gwatwar- 
gerdd. Dilynir, drachefh, " y fenyw wenieithus" gan luoedd o 
" ieuenctyd heb ddeall," er bod ei ffordd yn arwain i ystafelloedd 
angau. IV Hetty y mae cyrchfa myrddiynau, er mai colledigaeth 
ydyw ceidwad ei phorth, a bod " Y ffordd i uffern" yn argrapbedig, 
mewn llythyrenau o dan, ar gapan ei drws. Er hefyd mai anrbaith 
ynfydion andwyedig ydyw dodrefn ei thy, ac mai gwobr anwiredd 
sy'n mwgdarthu ei gwely, eto codir hi i eistedd wrth fwrdd anrhyd- 
edd, ac i farchogaeth mewn rhwysg ar olwynion gorwychder. 
Halogir y doniau mwyaf awenyddawl trwy eu camddefhyddio i lygru 
myfyrdod y galon, i oreuro yr aflendid ffieiddiaf, i dwyll-dawelu 
dychrynfeydd cydwybod glwyfedig, ac i esmwyth-balmantu y brif- 
ffordd lithrig lydan sy'n arwain i waered i eigion gehenna. Gwefusau 
y plentyn, cyn dysgu iawn ddri geiriau, a ymsymudant i gablu, a 
thafod bloesg yr henwr penllwyd a draetha gabledd. Gogwyddir y 
glust, gan wenu yn ddifyrlawn, i wrando ar lais hudoliaeth ; a dir- 
gel-ddychymmygir twyll yn swn y fflangell, wrth fur y carchardy, 
ac yngolwg y pren d'ioddef. Coronir rhinwedd a drain ; rhoddir 
corsen gwawd yn ei deheulaw ; perir iddi blygu pen yn nghongl pob 
heol ; teflir lien ddu dros ei hwyneb cu hardd-deg, er cuddio ei 
gwrid a'i dagrau ; ac wedi ei hymlid yn archolledig i anialdiroedd 
enciliad, rhoddir ei choron seiriandeg ar ben llygredd, a gwisgir 
drygioni yn ei mantell dywysogaidd. Arweinir y " March coch," 
gydabanllefaugorfoledd, ar balmant o esgyrn, drwy afonydd o waed. 
Halogir y gwyryfon a'u mamau o fewn y muriau cysegredig ; aberthir 
babanod diniwed, flFrwyth y bru, ar allorau eilunod ; ac, i beffeithio 
yr ysgelerder gorwarthus, cyfenwir Iry-ny yn ddwyfol addoliad ! 
Dyma, yn ol y profion egluraf, ydyw tuedd naturiol calon lygredig 
dyn. — Gesyd droell naturiaeth yn mam — Lleinw deyrnasoedd ag 
annhrefh — Lliwia foroedd a gwaed — A thry y gwledydd eangaf yn 
feusydd galanas. Nid dichonadwy gwadu na chelu y gwirionedd 
hwn ; ac er bod cip-olwg arno, yn ei liw dychrynllyd, yn ddigon i beri 
i ddyngarwch a rhinwedd dywallt dagrau o waed, eto rhaid oedd ei 
grybwyll er dangos bod " cyfraithynangenrheidiol igynnal moesau 
da." ' CyfraitK sydd i ffrwyno cynddaredd dyn pan y mae nwydau 
aflywodraethus ei galon ar ymdori allan fel rhuthr meirch porthian- 
nus. 4 Cyfraith ' ydyw yr unig wrthglawdd sydd i attal diluw 
llygredd rhag gorlifo yn rhyferthwy dinystriol dros y byd. c Cyf- 
raith' ydyw cleddyf daufiniog cyfiawnder i ddial gwaed ei lladded- 
igion merthyredig. « Cyfraith' ydyw tarian brofedig rhinwedd, i 
ddiffodd picellau tanllyd trachwant a llygredd, a'i hunig arfogaeth 



68 

yn wyneb ymosodiadau ei gelynion. « Cyfraith, fel craig fawr, 
ydyw cysgodfa ddiogel diniweidrwydd, tlodi a gwendid yn wyneb 
rhuthrgyrchoedd cynddeiriog creulondeb, trais a gormes, a ' Chyf- 
raith' hefyd, ydyw unig amddiffynfa '« moesau da" yn nydd y 
frwydr. 

III. — Dengys natur cyfansoddiad Cymdeithas bod " Cyfraith yn 
angenrheidiol i gynnal moesau da." 

Trefnodd y Goruchaf i ddynion gymdeithasu a u gilydd ; ac heb 
gymdeithas diflanai ein cysuron a darfyddai ein hanfodiad. Trwy 
gyfathrach anocheladwy rhoddwyd i lawr sylfaen cymdeithas ; a 
ffurfiwyd, mewn canlyniad, Haws o gysylltiadau perthynasol, megis 
Tad, Mam ; Gwr, Gwraig ; Brawd, Chwaer ; Car, Cymmydog, ac 
amryw eraill. Felly, lie y mae cyfathrach, rhaid o angenrheidrwydd 
bod yno gysylltiadau perthynasol ; a lie y mae cysylltiadau perthynasol, 
rhaid, yn ol egwyddorion cyntaf natur, bod dyledswyddau perthynasol 
yn sylfaenedig arnynt ; a lie mae dyledswyddau perthynasol, rhaid, 
yn ol yr ail osodiad, bod rhyw rwymedigaethau sefydledig i'w cyf- 
lawni heblaw mympwy cyfnewidiol calon dyn ; — oblegid nid " sic 
void' hunanoldeb a gormes sydd i fod yn rheol cymdeithas. Mewn 
gair, lie y mae dynion rhaid bod cyfathrach ; lie y mae cyfathrach rhaid 
bod perthynas ; lie y mae perthynas rhaid bod dyledswydd; a He y mae 
dyledswydd rhaid bod " cyfraith;' — -canys nis gall Penryddid fod 
yn sylfaen i hardd-adail tangnefedd a dedwyddwch : " Cyfraith," 
gan hyny, ydyw sylfaen cadernid — tarian amddiffyn — ernes cyn- 
nydd — mammaeth dedwyddwch — rhwymyn perffeithrwydd-a choron 
gogoniant pob cymdeithas. — Ond yn 

IV. — Hanes gwahanol Genedlaethau y byd a rydd y dangosiad 
egluraf a'r prawf cadarnaf o " Angenrheidrwydd cyfraith i gynnal 
moesau da." 

Llwyr afreidiol, gan hyny, fyddai sefyll yn hir i ddyrus-resymu 
ar dir egwyddorion pan y mae ffeithiau anwadadwy a hirfaith brqfiad 
yn cyduno i egluro a chadarnau y gosodiad dan sylw. 

Y mae cyfiawnder d'ialeddol wedi gorfod ysgrifenu, flwyddyn ar ol 
blwyddyn, mewn Uythyrenau cochion o waed a than, a hyny yn 
mron ar ben pob heol, bod " Cyfraith yn angenrheidiol i gynnal 
moesau da ;" ac y mae un linell o gof-lyfr cyfiawnder, yn ddigon i 
beri i'r Gwrth-ddeddfwyr mwyaf cyndyn a phenrydd guddio eu 
penau mewn cywilydd a dychryn, a gwrido, dan leni gwarth, mewn 
distawrwydd tragywyddol. 

Tan aden cyfraith y meithrinwyd y Celfyddydau a'r Gwybodaethau 
sydd yn addurno dyn. Sefydliad cyfraith mewn gwlad, yn ol unol 
dystiolaethau yr Awduron enwocaf, ydyw y cam cyntaf o'i derchafiad 



59 

a'i gogoniant. Rhoddir y lie cyntaf i hyn, a'r pwys mwyaf ar hyn ? 
mewn Hanes-lyfrau. Heb gyfraith ni chefnogir celfyddyd ; heb 
gelfyddyd ni fegir gwybodaeth ; heb wybodaeth ni thrinir masnacli ; 
ac heb fasnach ni chyrhaeddir na chyfoeth, na gogoniant na chadernid. 

Sefydliad cyfraith, yn ddiddadl, a ddarfu genedlu a meithrin yn 
y fynwes ddynol y ddwy egwyddor fawr a ydynt a r ly wodraeth benaf 
ar galon dyn, sef ofn givarth, a chariad at anrhydedd. Y mae yr 
egwyddorion hyn yn ami yn gryfach na deniadau rhinwedd, ac yn 
Uymach na chleddyf cyfiawnder. Medrant ffrwyno cybydd-dod, 
anlladrwvdd, balchder, ann'iolchgarwch, cenfigen, ac amryw ddrwg- 
anwydau eraill y rhai ydynt yn annghyrhaeddadwy i fflangell cosp: a 
gallant goroni haelfrydedd, gostyngeiddrwydd, a rhinweddau eraill 
na fedr cyfiawnder cyhoeddus byth eu gwobrwyo. Dyma y cym- 
hellai cryfaf i foesgarwch a rhinwedd, a dyma y gadwyn aur blethedig 
sydd yn tueddu fwyaf i gadw cymdeithas yn dangnefeddus, a'r byd 
mewn iawn drefn. A'r ystyriaeth o effeithiau daionus cyfraith yn 
yr ystyr yma, a barodd i rai ei galw, " The masterpiece of human 
genius" 

Dengys y President De Goguet, yn ol cydrediad tystiolaethau y 
Teithwyr a'r Hynafyddion cywiraf, bod dynion cyn sefydliad cyfraith 
yn grwydriaid gwylltion ac annedwydd, creulawn ac anifeilaidd ; yn 
ddieithriaid i egwyddorion dyngarwch ; yn amddifaid o gysuron dyn- 
oliaeth; yn bywiolaethu ar ddail agwreiddiau; ac yn trigo mewn ffau- 
au ac ogofeydd, gan ymhyfrydu mewn ffieidd-dra, gwaed, adinystr. 

Yn narluniad y Bardd Homer o'r Cyclopiaid, yn y nawfed Llyfr 
o'i Odyssey, canfyddir drych cywir o sefyllfa dynion heb gyfraith. 
Trais a gormes ydoedd cylch terfyn pob tylwyth. Nwyd a chwant 
ydoedd unig reol eu holl ymddygiadau. Ni chyd-ymgynghorent 
mewn amgylchiadau o bwys, ni chynnorthwyent y gwan dan ei faich, 
ac ni chydymdeimlent ar gorthrymedig yn ei adfyd. Ni hauent eu 
tir, ac ni fedent gynnyrch eu meusydd. Dringent y creigiau fel geifr 
gwylltion, ar eu traed a'u dwylaw. Trigent, ar dywydd teg, ar 
gopaau y mynyddoedd ; ac yn nydd y dryc-hin ymguddient dan gys- 
god y clogwyni. Eu Benywod a syrthient i afaelion y treisw^r 
cryfaf, neu a ddilynent yn olynol y cynllwynwyr cyfrwysaf. Ni ad- 
nebyddid eu tadau gan y plant a enid* Ac yr oedd cysur a bywyd 
gwas a morwyn, gwraig a phlentyn, yn troi yn gyfangwbl ar fympwy 
afresymol a thymmer nwydwyllt y gormeswr creulonaf. 

Dengys Tully, yn eu Lythyr at ei frawd Quintus, mai doethineb 
i sefydlu cyfreithiau da, mewn cysylltiad a deniadau areithyddiaeth 
i dynu sylw atynt, oedd yr unig foddion effeithiol i wareiddio dynion 
anfoesgar, i feithrin gwybodaeth a rhinwedd, ac i gorpholi tylwythau 



60 

gwylltion a gwasgaredig yn gymdeithasau trefnus a heddychlawn, 
dan reolaeth egwyddorion cyfiawnder. A thrwy egluro a chefnogi 
yr un egwyddorion yn ei areithiau, ei ysgrifeniadau, yn gystal ag 
yn ei holl ymddygiadau yr ennillodd yr anrhydedd o gael ei alw yn 
" Dad ei wldd, ac Ail-sylfaenydd Rhufain." 

Yr ystyriaeth o " Angenrheidrwydd Cyfraith i gynnal moesa da" 
a gynhyrfodd y Deddfroddwyr doethaf yn y cynoesoedd, cyn dysgu 
y gelfyddyd o ysgrifenu, i gyfansoddi eu eyfreithiau ar fesur cerdd, 
yn y modd manylaf, i gael eu canu yn yr eisteddfodau cyhoeddus, fel 
y byddai iddynt wneuthur argraph dyfnach a mwy arosol ar galonau 
y werin : a hyn hefyd oedd yr amcan mewn golwg wrth weinyddu y 
eyfreithiau hyny yn mhyrth y dinasoedd, ger bron yr holl bob], fel 
y byddai gwarth a chosp y troseddwr yn fwy cyhoeddus ac yn fwy 
effeithiol. 

Ar ol y diluw, pan y darfu i'r Noachidse ollwng dros gof egwydd- 
orion cyfiawnder, ac esgeuluso gosodiadau cyfraith seithblyg yr hen 
batriarch eu tad, torodd annhrefn i mewn i'w mysg, terfynodd yr 
annhrefn hwnw mewn ymwasgariad, a suddodd y nifer amlaf o'r 
tylwythau gwasgaredig hyny i ddyfhderoedd eithaf barbareidd-dra 
ac anwybodaeth. 

Medrusrwydd i sefydlu eyfreithiau buddiol, mewn cysylltiad ag 
awdurdod i sicrau ufudd-dod iddynt, a ddarfu dderchafu Nimrod, 
Assur, a Chedorlaomer i sefyllfaoedd o anrhydedd, eu codi i orsedd- 
au brenhinol, a'u cymhwyso i ysgwyd teyrn-wiail awdurdod : a hyn 
hefyd a ddarfu anfarwoli eu henwau fel sylfaenwyr ymerodraethau 
eang Babilon, Assyria, a Phersia. 

Yn amser Ninus, Semiramis, a Ninyas, pan oedd ymerodraeth 
Assyria yn uwchder ei chadernid a'i gogoniant, yr oedd ynddi dri 
chynghor tra enwog, yn gyfansoddedig, gan mwyaf, o Hynafiaid 
doethaf y genedl, i sefydlu eyfreithiau addas ; a thri o Lysoedd 
cyffredinol i weinyddu y eyfreithiau mewn cyfiawnder. Ond yn 
amser Sardanapalus, pan oedd y brenhin yn amlach yn ei windy nag 
yn ei Lys, syrthiodd yr hen ymerodraeth fawr hdno yn ysglyfaeth i 
wrthryfelwyr ; ac mewn dychryn ac anobaith taniodd y brenin ei 
lys, difaodd ei drysorau gwerthfawrocaf yn y danllwyth, a llosgodd 
ei hun ynghanol ei efhuchiaid a'i ordderchadon. 

Ar ol bwrw ymaith iau Assyria, syrthiodd y Mediaid, am nad 
oedd ganddynt gyfreithiau sefydledig, i eithafoedd annhrefn; ac 
ymddyrysu yr oeddynt mewn terfysg diorphwys nes i Deioces, trwy 
ddoethineb ei ymddygiadau ac uniondeb ei egwyddorion, ennill eu 
sylw a'u cymmeradwyaeth, a chael annogaeth ganddynt i sefydlu 



61 

cyfreithiau ac i gymmeryd awenau y Uywodraeth yn ei law ; — yna 
mwynasant dangnefedd, a fFynasant. 

Tan lywodraeth Gyfreitkiau uniawn yr ennillodd yr Aipht y fath 
enwogrwydd yn y dyddiau gynt nes ei bod yn " fammaeth y celfydd- 
ydau, yn gryd y gwybodaethau, yn wlad y doethion, ac yn gynllun 
ymerodraethau enwocaf y byd." Trwy gyboeddi yr annogaethau 
cryfaf, a sefydlu y rhwymedigaethau dwysaf i'r amaethwyr fod yn 
ddiwyd — i'r masnachwyr fod yn onest — i'r plant fod yn ufudd — i'r 
gwragedd fod yn ddiwair — i'r swyddogion fod yn heddychol — i'r 
barnwyr fod yn gyfiawn — ac i'r brenin fod yn dad y genedl, blodeu- 
odd eu gwlad fel gardd Paradwys. Gwisgodd eu dolydd y gwyrdd- 
lesni harddaf, a dygodd eu meusydd bob rhyw fFrwyth, yn gnwd 
toreithiog. Llwythwyd eu trysordai a. Uawnder. Huliwyd eu 
byrddau a danteithion. A llanwyd eu caldnau a llawenydd. Teyrn- 
asodd heddwch o fewn eurhagfur, trefn o fewn eu temlau, cyfiawnder 
o fewn eu llysoedd, a ffyniant o fewn eu palasau. Cefnogid ieuenctyd 
awenyddgar — perchid y fenyw rinweddol — anrhydeddid coron pen- 
Uwydni — ymgrymid i'r offeiriad ffyddlawn — gwisgid y swyddog 
teilwng yn mantell sidanaidd derchafiad — rboddid modrwy berlawg 
awdurdod am fys y doetb — dysgleiriai cadwyn aur anrhydedd am 
wddf y gwladgarwr — allefid "Abrec" o flaen gwir noddwyr y genedl. 

Yn nyddiau y barnwyr y rhai oeddynt yn gweinyddu cyfiawnder, 
yn ol rheol y gyfraith, yr oedd Israel yn llwyddo, ac yn cael llon- 
yddwch; ond pan ymlygrodd eu blaenoriaid gan wyro barn, 
" ymadawodd y gogoniant." 

Doetbineb Solomon yn sefydlu cyfreithiau da, a'i ymdrech i farnu 
ei ddeiliaid mewn cyfiawnder ydoedd sylfaen ei gyfoetb, ei enwog- 
rwydd, a'i ogoniant. Hyn a barodd i frenhinoedd Arabia a holl 
dywysogion y ddaear geisio gweled ei wyneb, gan ddwyn iddo an- 
rhegion — aur acarian ; arfau a gwisgoedd; meirch amulod; eppaod a 
pheunod ; coed algummim a pber-aroglau ; ac ifori a meini gwerthfawr 
— lawer iawn. Hyn a doddodd ysbryd Brenines gyfrwysgall Seba, 
ac a barodd iddi dori allan mewn syndod a dywedyd, bod ei weinid- 
ogion oil yn wynfydedig, a'i bobl oil yn ddedwydd. Efe a eisteddai 
ar orsedd o ifori, wedi ei haddurno a. blodau o aur pur, i dderbyn ei 
gennadon, i gyboeddi ei gyfreitbiau, ac i weinyddu cyfiawnder. Deu- 
ddeg o lewod a gylcbynent ei droedfainc i ddangos y dylai gorseddfa 
barn fod yn fawreddawg ac ofhadwy. Ond cymmeryd cip-olwg o 
lestri ei deml, o ddodrefn i lys, ac o addurn hafdy coedwig Libanus, 
mewn cysylltiad a rbifedi ei gerbydau, helaethrwydd ei fasnach, go- 
goniant ei ymerodraeth, a dedwyddwcb ei ddeiliaid, canfyddir ar un- 
waith bod cyfreithiau addas yn sicrau cadwraeth "moesau da;" ac yn 



62 

sylfaen cyfoeth ac enwogrwydd a gogoniant a dedwyddwch. Nid rhyf- 
edd, gan hyny, oedd clywed Solomon, y doethaf o ddynion, yndywed- 
yd, ahyny pan oeddei benwyni yn anrhydeddusach na'i goron, Mai 
trwy farn y cadarneir gwlad, y sicreir gorsedd, ac yr amleir y 
cyfiawn. 

Yr hyn a dragywyddolodd warth, ac a gyflymodd ddinystr Jehoiacim 
oedd ei gynddaredd a'i ryfyg yn taflii " Llyfr y gyfraith" i'r tan, ar 
ol ei ddarnio yn gyntaf a chyllell ysgrifenydd. 

Esgeuluso darllen y 'gyfraith,' ar y gwyliau gosodedig, yn ol ordin- 
ad y Goruchaf, a achosodd ddiwreiddiad y genedl Iuddewig o'u 
gwlad hyfrydlawn, ac a barodd drais-gludiad dodrefn drudfawr eu 
teml a'u llysoedd i lmlio byrddau tywysogion Babilon, ac i addurno 
teml eu duw, Belus. 

O erddi blodeuog yr Aipht, Caldea, a Phalestine, hawdd i'r han- 
esydd groesi i diroedd Groeg ; ac yno, mewn cylch bychan, ceir y 
profion cadarnaf a'r amlygiadau egluraf o "angenrheidrwydd cyfraith 
i gynnal moesau da." 

Er bod y cudd-chwedlau paganaidd yn priodoli cryn enwogrwydd 
i'r Titaniaid, y Pelasgi, y Cariaid, ac eraill o'r cynfrodorion ; eto, y 
gwir yw, mai crwydriaid annedwydd a barbaraidd oeddynt cyn 
sefydliad cyfraith yn eu tir. Cyfraith, trwy feithrin eu rhinweddau 
dysgleirwych, a gloywi eu doniau awenyddawl, a ddarfu eu codi, o 
radd i radd, i enwogrwydd anfarwol. Trwy sefydlu cyfraith y caf- 
odd Cecrops yr anrhydedd o fod yn achubydd Attica^ — yn blanydd 
Athen — yn sylfeinydd teml Minerva — ac yn sefydlydd llys yr 
Areopagus. 

Yr ystyriaeth o " angenrheidrwydd cyfraith i gynnal moesau da," 
a barodd i frenhinoedd a duwiau blygu, heb rwgnach, i ddedryd yr 
Areopagltae. Hyn a barodd i Amphyction sefydlu y cynghor-lys a 
dawelodd ei wlad, ac a anfarwolodd ei enw. Hyn a enwogodd y 
Delphinium, y Paladium, a'r Prytaneum fel llysoedd barn. Hyn a 
dderchafodd Cranaus, Erechtheus a Theseus i'r fath uwchafiaeth ar eu 
gorseddau brenhinol. Hyn a gynhyrfodd erwindeb Draco, diwyg- 
iwr Athen, ac a barodd iddo selio, mewn effaith, ei gyfreithiau a 
gwaed. Hyn a barodd i Solon ail-gadarnhau yr Areopagus, a sefydlu 
" senedd y pedwar cant," mewn gobaith y byddent, fel dwy angor 
ansymudadwy, yn ddigon i dd'iogelu y wlad rhagmyned yn ddrylliau 
o flaen tonau chwyddedig afly wodraeth a gormes : a'i ddoethineb fel 
Deddfwr, ydoedd coron ei barch a'i enwogrwydd, ac unig sylfaen ei 
awdurdod a'i ddefnyddioldeb. Doethineb ac ymdrech Lycurgus, fel 
deddfwr, a ennillodd iddo yr enwad anrhydeddus "Cyfaill y duwiau;" 
a hyn a barodd i annhrefn ffoi o Sparta ac a'i derchafodd, mewn gallu 



63 

a gogoniant, goruwch ei holl gymmydogesau. Tan reolaeth Pelo- 
pidas ac- Epaminondas y gwnaed y " Theban pigs" yn " Arglwyddi 
Groeg." Dysgyblaeth cyfreithiau milwraidd Groeg a wnaeth ei 
milwyr yn anorchfygadwy, ac a anfarwolodd eu gorchestion wrth 
dreflan Marathon — yn mwlch y Thermopylae — wrth dref Platea — ar 
benrhyn Mycale — wrth ynys Salamis — wrth yr afon Granicus — ac 
wrth drefydd Arbela ac Issus. Hyn hefyd a roddodd goron buddug- 
oliaeth ar ben mintai o honynt, ar wastadedd Cunaxa, yn nghanol 
myrddiynau o'u gelynion, ac a ddiogelodd eu dychweliad i'w gwlad, 
drwy rwystrau aneirif, dan lywyddiaeth Xenophon. Yr ystyriaeth 
o " Angenrheidrwydd cyfraith i gynnal moesau da," a barodd i'w 
doethion ddywedyd, — 

" Ymwylltia y werin pan gysgo y brenin ; 
Ond byddant yn ddedwydd pen ddeffry y Llywydd." 
Hyn a barodd i Philip o Macedon, ac Alexander Fawr ar ei ol, 
ymostwng yn wirfoddol i erfyn addysgiadau yn egwyddorion Rheol- 
aeth gan yr Athronydd Xenocrates. 

Tan effeithiolaeth uniongyrchol cyfreithiau rhagorawl Lycurgus a 
Solon y miniwyd cynion Phidias — y cywreiniwyd pwyntel Zeuxis 
— y melyswyd rhyddiaith Herodotus, tad Hanesyddiaeth — y mes- 
urwyd dywediadau a gorphwys-donau Isocrates — y coronwyd yr 
Awen gan Euripides a Sophocles — y cynhyrfwyd hyawdledd De- 
mosthenes a Thucydides — y meithrinwyd gwladgarwch Pericles a 
Cimon — y taniwyd gwroldeb Miltiades, Pausanias a Leonidas — ac y 
gloywyd rhinweddau dysgleirwych yr Athrawon anfarwol Zeno a 
Socrates. A dengys Xenophon, yn ei Cyropoedia, mai yn ngherbyd 
rhinwedd, dan effeithiolaeth egwyddorion cyfreithiau da, y march- 
ogodd Cyrus, drwy fyrdd o elynion, o fwthyn bugail i orsedd 
Babilon. 

" Salus populi suprenia lex," ydoedd egwyddor sylfaenol Lly- 
wodraeth Rhufain pan yn ei llawn ogoniant. Dyma ydoedd Ar- 
wyddair ei Deddf-lyfrau — diweddglo deuddeg llech ei chyfraith — 
yr Alpha a'r Omega yn nghredo doethion ei senedd — a thestun 
amry w o gyfansoddiadau anfarwol ei phrif Awenyddion. Yr eg- 
wyddor hon a ddarfu ei derchafu i eistedd, fel Brenines, ar orsedd 
y ddaear, a'i dysgu i ysgwyd ei theyrnw'ialen gyda rhwysg cyffred- 
inol. Tra dan lywodraeth hon, yr oedd ei muriau o feini marmor, 
ei llysoedd wedi eu gwisgo ag aur, ei themlau yn addurnedig gan 
berlau, a'r perarogl puraf yn llenwi ei holl gyssegroedd. Tra dan 
lywodraeth hon, yr oedd ei thrysordai yn liawnion, ei hathrofaon 
yn enwog, a'i llengau milwraidd yn anorchfygadwy. Tra dan 
lywodraeth hon, yr oedd ei chymmydogesau yn plygu ger ei bron i 
O 



64 

dderbyn y gyfraith o'i genau, gan fwrw eu ban rhegion with ei thraed 
a'i haddoli fel Ymerodres y ddaear. Trwy ei threfn filwraidd, 
cymylodd ogoniant Carthage, Persia, Assyria, a Macedonia ; a 
tharawodd ddychryn trwy ^Ethiopia, Parthia, Germany, a'r India. 
Ond pan unwaith yr ymadawodd cyfiawnder o'i llysoedd barn, 
newidiodd yr aur coeth da, a diflannodd yr lioll ogoniant. Nid 
oedd ei niilwyr mwy yn anorchfygadwy. Ei thywysogion, fel 
hyddod heb gael porfa, oeddynt ddinertli o flaen yr ymlidwyr. An- 
rheithiwyd ei thrysordai gan y gelyn. Maluriwyd ei themlau addur- 
nedig, a thafhvyd ei meini caboledig yn mhen pob heol. Llychwinwyd 
ei hallorau harddaf gan lwch a niwg a gwaed. Rhydodd ei delwau 
dysgleiriaf. Tafl wyd ei chofgolofnau mwyaf cedyrn i'r llwch. Ffodd 
Awenydd. Distawodd y gan. Aeth y dolydd gwyrddleision yn 
anialdir diffrwyth. Llwyr ddifwynwyd ar unwaith. 

" Terra potens armis atque ubere glebse." Cododd pob annrhefn 
ei ben, ac ymledodd drygioni fel pla dros y wlad. Y genedl, gan 
yralygru a ymlygrodd. Y morwynion a arferent anlladrwydd o'u 
mebyd ; a'r gwragedd a wenent ar eu gau-gariadau wrth fyrddau eu 
harglwyddi, ac a werthent, heb wrido, eu diweirdeb i estroniaid, 
gan yfed eu llwyddiant o'u llestri pr'iodas. Trwy hyn aeth y di- 
ry wiad yn gyffredinol. Gwelwyd epil yr Enwogion a fedrent beri i 
Pyrrhus a Hannibal grynu, heb wroldeb i wisgo y cleddyf — heb fedr 
i drin y gwys — heb ddawn i sefyll ar y Rostrum — ac heb gy- 
mhwysder i blygu wrth yr allor. 

Traddodiadau y Noachidse ydoedd sylfaen cyfansoddiad Ym- 
erodraeth eang China ; a'r cyfreithiau a sylfaenwyd ar yr egwydd- 
orion hyny — er wedi eu llygru yn fawr gan Confucius, Mencius, ac 
eraill — ydyw y gadwyn blethedig a rwymodd ei myrddiynau aneirif 
i gydweithredu mewn undeb, yn wyneb chwyldroadau dinystriol o 
ddwy i dair mil o flynyddoedd. 

Y mae'n wir bod coelgrefydd, i raddau galarus yn gyssylltiedig 
ag egwyddorion y rhan grefyddol o'r Gyfundraith Dderwyddol, eto 
rhaid addef mai y gosodiadau gwladol sylfaenedig arni, oeddynt yr 
unig foddion effeithiol i gadw y werin mewn ufudd-dod a thangnef- 
edd : a hyn hefyd, yn benaf, a ddarfu godi Archdderwyddon Mon 
i'r eisteddleoedd uwchaf ar Orseddau Magi y Gorllewin. 

Trwy sefydlu cyfreithiau uniawn y darfu i Charlemagne ac Alfred 
Fawr, Sylfeinydd Athrofa Rhydychen, wasgaru, i raddau, y ty- 
wyllwch dudew barbaraidd oedd yn gorchuddio Ewrop yn y nawfed 
ganrif ; a thrwy hyn hefyd yr ennillodd Hy wel Dda a Blegwryd ei 
weinidog y fath barch ac enwogrwydd yn y ganrif ganlynol. 

Tan effeithiolaeth iachusawl sefydliadau a chyfreithiau da, y mae 



65 

wyneb Uydan y " Byd Newydd" yn ymadnewyddu i wisgo harddwch. 
Gwelir yno yn awr fyrdd o blant yn cyrchu yn finteioedd i'r Ys- 
golion ; ac yn eu dychweliad adref gyda'r hwyr, clywir y llenyrch 
a'r gelltydd, oeddynt unwaith yn drigleoedd dreigiau, yn adseinio 
eu difyr ganiadau. Meithrinir yno yn bresennol y celfyddydau a'r 
gwybodaethau a addurnant ddyn. Eu Hathrof aon sefydledig a flod- 
euant dan nawdd y Llywodraeth, a'u pinaglau cyssegredig a dderch- 
afant eu penau hyd y nefoedd. 

Canfyddir, yn rhy amlwg, o'r tu arall, effeithiau galarus ac an- 
dwyol penrhyddid ac annuwiaeth yn y difrod galaethus a oddi- 
weddodd Ffrainc, yn amser y chwyldroad, yn niwedd y ganrif 
ddiweddaf. Llanwyd y wlad o derfysg a dychryn. Lliwiwyd yr 
heolydd a gwaed. Ni pherchid na gwraig na gwyryf ; ac ni arbedid 
y plentyn sugno mwy na r henwr penllv^yd. Nid oedd tawelwch i 
dad wrth ei fwrdd gyda'i blant — na diogelwch i briod yn ei wely 
gyda'i anwylyd — na nodded i efrydydd yn ei lyfrgell gyda'i Fibl — 
na chyssegr i addolwr yn ei deml wrth yr Allor. Mwrddrwyd yno 
filoedd o wirioniaid, heb gysgod prawf, chwaethacli awdurdod 
cyfraith. Yna, wedi tyngu tragywyddol elyniaeth i drefn rheolaeth 
freninol, a tbragywyddol ffyddlondeb i chwech o ffug-sefydliadau 
gwahanol, a hyny o fewn cylcb o ddeutu cbwe' blynedd, plygodd y 
genedl dd'iofrydedig i ruddfan a gwaedu dan orthrymder gormeswr. 

Cyn terfynu y Llythyr hwn, erfyniaf gen ad i gyfeirio meddwl y 
darllenydd at dri o adsylwadau. 

1. Canfyddir, yn wyneb yr ystyriaeth o bwys a gwirionedd y 
testun dan sylw bod deddfwyr doethion, a lly wiawdwyr cyfiawn yn 
teilyngu yr anrhydedd a'r parch mwyaf. " Awdurdodau goruchel" 
a gweinidogion gosodedig gan y Goruchaf ydynt, er dial Hid ar 
ddrwgweithredwyr ac er mawl i'r gweithredwyr da. Gwisgo y 
maent gleddyf cyfiawnder, ac " angenrhaid yw ymostwng iddynt," 
nid yn unig o herwydd y " formidine pcence," ond o herwydd y 
" virtutis amore" hefyd. Nid rhyfedd, gan hyny, eu bod, yn ol hen 
arferiad, yn cael eu galw yn " conditores imperiorum," am eu bod 
yn gwneuthur " bythod o bridd yn ddinasoedd o farmor :" — yn 
" Perpetui principes," am eu bod yn teyrnasu yn eu gosodiadau 
gwladordros oesoedd^tragy wyddol pan eu hunain wedi eu rhifo gyda'r 
marwolion : — yn " Salvatores," am eu bod yn ymlid gormes a 
therfysg i ddiyngan diroedd anghof : — ac yn " Patres patriae," am 
eu bod yn gwneuthur y Gyfraith, nid yn ddagr dichell nac yn gleddyf 
gormes — ond yn " ffon gonestrwydd, yn darian diniweidrwydd, ac 
yn etifeddiaeth y tlawd." 

2. Canfyddir, yn amlwg, y dylid talu, gyda llawenydd, " deyrnged 



66 

a tholl ac ofh a pharch i'r rhai sydd yn gwylied ar hyn yma." Y 
mae holl ysgogiadau cymdeithas, a holl egwyddorion masnachaeth, 
yn eu gwahanol gyssylltiadau aneirif yn gofyn eu sylw manylaf, a 
hyny yn feunyddiol. Nid bycban gan hyny yw eu gofal, ac nid 
ysgafn eu baich : ac nid yw ond cyfiawnder iddynt gael cefnogiad a 
cbynnaliaeth. Heb deyrngcd ni chynnelir llywodraeth, heb lywod- 
raeth ni chedwir trefn, heb drefn ni chefnogir " moesau da," ac heb 
foesau da ni chyrhaeddir na dedwyddwch nac enwogrwydd. 

Canfyddir, yn olaf, y dylem ni fel Prydeiniaid, gydnabod, mewn 
ysbryd diolchgar, ein rhwymedigaethau annrhaethadwy i Lywydd y 
bydoedd, am y rhagorfreintiau lliiosog a fwyneir genym dan nawdd 
llywodraeth dirion Teulu Brunswick. Dan effeithiolaeth union- 
gyrchol gosodiadau rhagorol llywodraeth ein gwlad, y meithrinwyd 
yn mynwesau ein hamaethwyr a'n masnachw^r — ein morwyr a'n 
milwyr — ein llywiawdwyr a'n hathrawon — ie, a'n rhianedd hefyd — 
y rhinweddau dysgleirwych ag ydynt wedi derchafu Prydain i fod 
yn Eden y byd o ran ei ffrwythlonedd — yn Dyrus y byd o ran ei 
masnach — yn Fabilon y byd o ran ei gogoniant — yn Rhufain y byd 
o ran ei hawdurdod — yn Athen y byd o ran ei dysgeidiaeth — ac yn 
Gaersalem y byd o ran ei chrefydd. 

SOLON. 






AWDLAU 



WLEDD BELSASSAR. 



AWD Ii 

AR WLEDD BELSASSAR, 



GAN CATWG. 



Y CYNNWYSIAD. 



Gwledd Belsassar hyd llinell 5. Dull Belsassar yn dangos 
llygredd dyn trwy bechod, 9. Pechod yn waharddedig, 13. Dial 
am bechod, 17. Israel am eu pechodau yn cael eu caethgludo i 
Babilon am 70 mlynedd, eu gwaradwydd, a'u cystudd yno, 27. Y 
gelynion yn gofyn can ganddynt, 31. Yn diystyru Duw ac yn cym- 
mell Israel i addoli eu duwiau, 27. Israel yn dewis marw yn hytrach 
na hyny, 41. Israel, gan alaru, yn troi eu hwynebau tua'r Demi 
Santaidd, 45. Duw yn gogoneddu ei enw trwy eu gwaredu o'r 
tan, 49. Cerydd Israel yn fendithiol i'w dwyn i edifeirwch, 53. Y 
Caldeaid yn ymgaledu, 61. Yr awdwr yn esgyn i ucbeldir, ac yn 
darogan gwarediad Israel, gan ganfod byddinoedd y Mediaid a'r 
Persiaid yn ymgyrchu tua Babilon, 75. Agweddau y byddinoedd 
a'u cyflymder, 85. Cyrus yn eu rheoleiddio, eu harddwch a'u 
heofhder, 89. Darostwng y wlad, 91. Gobrias a Gadata yn encilio 
o'r ddinas at Cyrus, 93. Gwarchae ar Babilon ddwy flynedd, 99. 
Prophwydoliaeth am Cyrus, 103. Belsassar yn ei ddinas gadarn, 
107. Sylwiadau ar y ddinas, 143. Annuwioldeb ei phreswylwyr, 
163. Cyrus yn gwarchae oddiallan, a Belsassar oddifewn yn dd'iofal 
yn hyderu yn ei dduwiau, a chadernid y ddinas, 171. Dyfodiad yr 
wyl flynyddol, 175. 

RHAN II. 

Belsassar yn ordeinio gwledd i fil o arglwyddi, 179. Gresynu am 
na chyfranai i drueiniaid, ymprydio a gweddio Duw, yn hytrach 
na gwledda ar y fath amser, pan yr oedd y gelynion oddiallan yn 
darparu dinystr y lie ac yntau, 191. Parotoi y wledd, danteithion y 
wlad ar y byrddau, 197. Dyfodiad y brenin a'i dywysogion i mewn, 
201. Eu hymddygiad annuwiol yn sarau Duw, ac yn tynu ei \vg 
ef arnynt, 229. Bysedd Haw dyn yn ysgrifenu ar y pared, 233. 
Chwyldroi y wledd o elwch i alar, a chyffro ac ystumiau y brenin, 
235. Galw amy doethion i ddarllen yr ysgrifen, hwythau yn methu, 
243. Y brenin yn flin arno, a phawb yn synu, 239. Nitocris yn 
cysuro 'r brenin gan hyspysu iddo am Daniel, 253. Galw Daniel 
ger bron, 255. Araeth v brenin wrtho, 273. Araeth Daniel, 330. 



70 

Yr ysgrifen a i deongliad, 345. Y doethion yn synu, 349. Eofnder, 
Daniel, 353. Y brenin yn gorchymyn cyflawni ei addewidi Daniel, 
355. Distawrwydd mawr, ac o herwydd drymed yr argoeljon, pawb 
yn dihoeni, ymollwng 'a chysgu, 361. Y dinaswyr yn feddwon, y 
gwylwyr ar porthorion yn cysgu, Pyrtli yr afon heb eu cau, yr afon 
yn sech, Gobrias a Gadata yn arwain llu ar hydd-di i'r ddinas, ac yn 
myned ar hyd yr lieolydd i agori pyrth y caerau i Cyrus a'i luoedd, 
383. Ser a Lloer yn eu goleuo, 385. Y dinasyddion yn eu cwsg, 
391. Cyrus a'i luoedd yn cymmeryd y ddinas, 399. Y prif bechodau 
a dynodd farn ar y ddinas, 407. Y lladdedigon, Belsassar a'i boll 
deulu yn lladdedig, 415. Darius yn dyfod i'r frenbiniaeth, 417. Cyrus 
yn rhyddau Israel, a hwytbau yn myned i'wgwlad, 421. Sicrwydd 
cyflawniad y propbwydoliaetbau yn ol trefn Rhagluniaetb, 425. 
Pechod yn achos trallodus cliwyldroion byd, a Rhagluniaetb y Nef 
yn goruwchreoli pob petb i ddwyn i ben amcanion y Gorucbaf, 429. 
Tri tbro hynod yn Babilon o herwydd pechod, a'r diweddaf oedd 
drymaf, 445. Diweddglo. 



RHAN I. 

GWLEDD Belsassar, ar ei oriau — olaf ; 
Ei el wch a'i aethau, 
Ai einioes ef yn nesau 
I gyngerth, ing, ac angau. 

Dull Belsassar a'n harwedd — i weled, 

Er alaeth, y llygredd 

A wnai bechod i'n buchedd ; 

Yr hyn wnai lwgr yn ei wledd. 

Pechod yw gwaelod pob gwyn, — gwaharddai 
Y Gwir Dduw ei ganlyn, 
Gan rybuddiaw y daw dyn 
I dd'ialedd o'i ddilyn. 

Dielir pawb a'i dilyn, — dial dwys 
A dal Duw i'w blentyn 
Am bechod, — wermod ei wyn 
A ddiarbed rydderbyn. 

Gwthiwyd plant Duw yn gaethion,— o'u tiroedd 

Torwyd yr Iuddewon 

Am bechod, — mewn trafoclion, 

Ei bobl ant i Babilon, 



71 

I flin oddef seithneg o flynyddau 
Di hedd, o hyd dan waradwyddiadau, 
Yn nbir gelynion, — yn oer galonau ; — 
Mawr oedd euogrwydd, a mor o ddagrau ; 
A niweidiwyd caniadau ei bobloedd ; 
Griddfanu ydoedd greddf eu heneidiau. 

Gweled dirmyg eu galon — afrywiog, 

A friwiai eu calon, 

Yn gofyn cerdd lwysgerdd, Ion, 

syw ganiadau Sion. 

A deuai waeth-waeth, eu Duw a hwythau 
A dra-diystyrid drwy dost eiriau : 
Mynai 'r galon brydion eu bwriadau 
Erchyllach, trawsach treisiau, — eu trosi 
A'u dwyn i addoli mudion ddelwau. 

Coelio duwiau y Caldeaid, — gwydus ! 
Gwadu 'r Duw bendigaid ! 
Mawr y *v hyn ! gwell meirw, o rliaid : 
Ebai 'r hyawdl Hebreaid. 

Galarant, troant eu trem, 
Ami sylwant, at Demi Salem, — 
Nes cyrhaedd mynwes cariad 
Eu dwyfol dosduriol Dad. 

A'u Duw mad ac ofnadwy, 
Yn eu mysg, a wnai enw mwy 
Hynod iddo ei hunan, 
Ac o'r tan eu gwared hwy. 

Garw ddial gai 'r Iuddewon — ond etto, 
Bu 'n dattod y galon : 
Marwhau a thymheru hon 

1 ddiwygiad oedd ddigon. 

Bu gwaeth, er eu bygythio, 
Ddynion afradlon y fro. 
Ni fawrbaid yn y fro bon, 
Dduw oesawl na'i dda weision. 
Gertbed eu bai ! gwrtbod budd, 
A rboi heibio bob rhybudd; 
A chan gyd-becbu 'n gadarn, 
Hwy ant, — addfedant i farn. 



72 

O'r dyffyrn, esgyn a wnaf — yn odrist, 
Gan edrych beth welaf ; 
O dir uchel edrychaf, 
Ac amlwg olwg a gaf. 

I'r caethion dilon mae dydd — yn nesu 
IV haneisor Lywydd 
Gerth rwymo eu gorthrymydd, 
A'u galw hwy draw i'w gwlad rydd. 

Wele lu mawr ar erfawr yrfa, 

Yn ymadael o derfyn Media, 

Oil heb arswyd, a Uu o Bersia, 

A rhai ymunwyr o Armenia, 

Trwy ammod yn troi yma; anrheithiant 

Bawb a lynant yn Babilonia. 

Y milwyr ar eu camelod, 
Wych ryfelwyr a chawrfilod, 
A meirch dibafeirch yn dyfod, 
Glewion, arfawg lu anorfod. 

Yn ol y gad, niwl a gerdd, 

Lluwch ogylcli, llwch a'u hagerdd. 

A'r niwl yn troi yn olau 

Trwy dan gwyllt rhwng traed yn gwau. 

Hwy a lymion garlamant ; 

Yma yn swta nesant. 

Wele, ddoniawl Faeslywydd union, 
Cyrus, nai Darius, hynod Wron, 
Yn effraw fyddinaw ei ddynion ; 
Reoleiddia ei ddewr liiyddion : 
Yn ewybr ac yn hoewon — ymrestrant, 
A bygylant wynebau galon. 

Hwy Ian want Fabilonia — oludog; 
Wele 'r wlad yn satbrfa 
Am bechod : bytbol nod wna 
Yn ninystr y fan yna. 

Acw, wele, encilwyr — o'r ddinas- 
Addas gyfarwyddwyr, 
Gobrias ac y Breyr 
Gadata gyda y gw^r. 



73 

Ceiswyr gwaed am waed ydynt — a dial ; 
Deuwr a a rhagddynt 
Er y caerau a'r cyrynt, 
Dau a i mewn er dim ynt. 

Gwedi rhwygo y fro fras, 
Gwrdd unant ger y ddinas. 

Ychydig o ymdrechiadau — a fu 

fewn dwy o flwyddau; 
Gwelwyd o ddeutu r gwaliau, 
Ymdrin ddygn am dro neu ddau. 

Cawn hanes cyn ei eni — am Cyrus 

Ddaionus, a'i enwi 

Yn addwyn frenin iddi; 

Y chwyl hon yr ymchwel hi. 

Belsassar i'w bias iesin ; 
Ei gref nawdd ef yw ei ddin ; 
Ac adail gaerog ydyw, 
Drych hefyd i 'r hollfyd y w. 

Ymaros uwchlaw ei muriau — a wnaf, 

1 wneud sylwiadau 
O'i hynod ryfeddodau 
Lliosog, cyn ei llesgau. 

Anhafal y w hon hefyd ; 
Hon sydd ben dinasoedd byd. 
Meithder i bellder heb ail 
Yw hyd a lied ei hadail : 
Pymtheng milltir, mewn tir teg, 
Ydyw, Petrual wiwdeg; 

Triugain milltir ogylch 
Yw hon ; a chaer yn ei chylch ; 
A chan porth pres eres wrdd; 
A dw'r agwrdd yn drogylch. 

Trwyddi hefyd traidd afon — yn dyfod 
Rhwng deufur uchelion, 
A phyrth pres ddwy res ar hon, 
Trwy y muriau tra mawrion. 

Wele ynddi grogerddi agyrddion, 
A gwiwfad eres — golygfa dirion — 
Rhodfeydd hygyrch — llennyrch dillynion- 



74 

Uwchlaw y ddinas, iach le i ddynion; 
Lie sawrus llysiau irion — sydd yna — 
Awyr a gluda eu harogl hedion. 

Wi ! ei hoff lysoedd hi a'i phalasau; 
Fireinied ei hamlwg fawrion demlau, 
Yn ddirhynodol gan addurniadau, 
Eu parwyd hwy a lanwyd o luniau 
Liu daear — a lie y duwiau — ynddynt; 
Rhai nad ydynt werth rhoi eu nodiadau. 

Ynddynt hefyd, drymllyd drem ! 
Sylwais, mae llestri Salem : 
Anaddas, ni a wyddom, 
Eu lleau a duwiau r dom. 

Y brif ddinas sydd brawf o ddoniau 

Ceinwiw, odidog, y cyndadau: — 

Ni henwid byth ei hynod bethau, 

Rhy faith aros rhifo ei thyrau 

Lie mynych y llummanau ; — llawn weithion 

Yw hon o feithion hynafiaethau. 

Ond annuw iawn y dynion 
Oil a drefyd ar hyd hon. 
Lleddir, gosdyngir y da, 
Dyrchir, dyheddir didda. 
Llosgi, lladd, a dyspaddu, 
Ar arch rydd Llywydd y llu. 

Dynion yn trin dewiniaeth — sy yna, 
A swyn a hudoliaeth; 
Ni bu rai a wyrai waeth, 
Ar ddaear, i audduwiaeth. 

Rhoddi mawrhycli i Merodach, 
Nebo, Nergal, ac i Faal folach, 
Gas weision, ac i Shesach; — gan wadu, 
Cablu, nid caru, Duw cywirach. 

Gan angerddol, reddfol rym 
Llygredd yn ei holl awgrym, 
Goddefir pob drwg ddyfais ; 
Balchder, gorthrymder, a thrais : 
Pob pechod a bennodir 
Sydd yn hon : — hi sawdd yn wir. 



75 

Gwyr Cyrus ger y caerau — y gwyliant : 
A'r trigolion hwythau 

'u mewn hwynt ; ac yn mwynau 
Da fyd a phob defodau. 

I'w raur, a'u duwiau meirwon, — a dorau 
Hyderai 'r trigolion ; 
Na welid yna alon 

1 beri brad a braw bron. 

A deuai gwyl y duw gau — hdno oedd 

Flynyddol ei chylchau, 

Er rhoi diolch i'r duwiau, 

A gwledd i'w rhyfedd fawrau. 



BELSASSAR lawn cyfaredd, 
Archai a darluniai 'r wledd, 
I'w gweini yn ddi gynnil; 
Gwledd fawr i'w arglwyddi fil. 

Ocb ! frenin, na chyfranai 
I dlodion, efryddion rai. 
I wledda nid dyma 'r dydd ; 
Mae Cyrus am y caerydd. 
Ha ! frenin ofer, annuw, 
Ymprydia, gweddia Dduw. 
Darparu a sychu sydd 
I fynu dy afonydd: 
Lyw annuw, nid crindduw, cred, 
Na mur, a wna ymwared. 
Tithau, pe gwypit weithion, 
Tydi a syrthi 'r nos hon ! 

A'r wledd rhagddi, a gweini coginiaeth ; 
Ymroed i'r perwyl, mawr y darpariaeth; 
Byrddau a drefnwyd, huliwyd yn helaeth, 
Y rhai a lanwyd a phob ryw luniaeth, 
Seigiau y dywysogaeth, yn ddestlus, 
Sy 'n ddiarbedus yn y ddarbodaeth. 

A deddyw mawr Lyw y wledd 
Gyfeiryd mewn rhwysgfawredd ; 



76 

A'i segur dywysogion, 

Gwyr a fawraid ger ei fron. 

MaitJi imi lenwi darluniad — ollawl 

Eu dull a'u hymddygiad: — 

Diwyrni gellir dirnad 

Fod i r wledd defodau 'r wlad. 

Eisteddant, mawrant eu Rhi 

A rhodres i'w fawrhydri. 

Ow ! ni welir un lioliad, 

A fyn y Rhi ofyn rliad 

Duw weithion, er bendithiaw 

Y wledd, o roddion ei law. 

Na, na, i loddesta 'dd ant ; 

Duw uniawn ni adwaenant. 

Ymborthant, fawr, erfawr rill ; 

Draw o'u gwydd aid a'r gweddill : 

Heb son am ffyddlon goffau 

Gwir roddwp trugareddau. 

Gweini gwin i'w min mynant 

Breisgion wyr, brwysgo a wnant. 

A mawrau eu duwiau am eu dyhedd 

Arddyrcliu ogylch, yr ordderch wragedd ; 

Peri halawgrwysg i bob rhyw lygredd, 

Er gwae a dylaitb, rhwyg a dialedd ; 

Sarhau Duw, nes o'r diwedd — ryfygu 

Taer ymyru a llestri ty 'r Mawredd. 

Ennynai hyn yn union, 
Eiddigedd Naf, uchaf Ion. 
Gwelid gwg am y drwg dra 
I'r brenin, er braw yna. 

Ys arwydd echrys, er ei ddychryn, 
I'w weled ar y pared purwyn, 
Lie y daeth bysedd Haw dyn — i gerfio : 
Brined yno y barnwyd annyn. 

Ei lwydd a'i wledd a luddiwyd ; — o elwch 

I alar ehwyldrowyd, 

O'i wres a'i rodres i rwyd 

Gwae, erysi, ac arswyd. 

Gweddnewidiai, delwai 'r dyn 
Gan gyffro, agro, egryn, 



77 

A rhwymau llwynau 'r Llyw od, 
O ddeutu yn ymddattod. 
Curai ynghyd, dybryd wedd ! 
Ei ddeulin gan dd'ialedd. 

Galwai 'n groch, mewn broch a braw — adwythig, 

Y doethion, gan addaw, 
Os cai a ddarllenai 'r 11a w, 
Roi addien wobrau iddaw. 

Daeth yno bob doethineb — a alwai : 

Ond wele fethineb, 

O honynt ni chaed wyneb 

A'i lleai — ni allai neb. 

Y brenin ni b'ai 'r unwedd, 
Cyffroai, newidiai 'i wedd ; 
Terfysgus arswydus ai ; 
Gorsynai gwyr ei senedd. 

Yna daeth i'w enaid ef 
Arswydus, gwynofus gnif. 

! anhydyn, elyn Naf ! 
Pa lid i'w ofid a yf ? 

Yn ystod y trafod trwm, 
A dyryswch direswm, 
Daeth Nitocris, megis mam 
Dyner, a newydd dinam, 
Fod i Ddaniel fad ddoniau 

1 gael rhin a'i eglurau. 
Daniel uwchlaw 'r dewiniaid 

Oedd ddoeth a dewr ddyddiau 'th daid. 

Galwer am hwn, hwn, ebai hi — a all 
Ei ollawl ddeongli: 
Cais Ddaniel, oruchel Ri, 
Llaw Daniel all dy weini. 

Ei llais ddadebrai y llu 
O brudd wyn braidd i wenu. 
Cennadon ai 'n union, a 
Daniel a gyrchid yna. 

Yn chwai medd y Llyw, Na chel 
Dy enw, ai ti yw Daniel ? 



78 

Imi yn hygoel mynega — ai ti 
Wyt o gaethglud Juda, 
Dewinydd, deonglydd da 
Fu rymus i'r fro yma ? 

Methodd doethion i'w hdni — dd'iorlludd 
Ddarllen a deongli 
Yr ysgrif, fel y gweli 
Mor deg, ar fy mhared i. 

Yr ysgrifen os darlleni — yn llawn 

Gan ei llwyr ddeongli, 

Ysgafn borphor a wisgi, 

Ag aur dorch anrhegir di. 

Cai harddwch, parch, ac urddas — y trydydd 

Lyw tradewr i'm teyrnas ; 

Dy enw fydd mawr i'm dinas, 

Dy fri trwy Galdea fras. 

Ebai Daniel, Bid yna 

Dy anrhegion heirddion, ha ! 

Cai roi 'r rhai'n i'w carwr hwy, 

Dibris genyf dy wobrwy- 

Yr ysgrifen darllenaf ; 

I glyw y Rhi egluraf. 

Clyw, O frenin, nis celaf wirionedd ; 
Duw a ranai i'th dad yn dirionwedd, 
Doraeth mirain, llywodraeth a mawredd. 
Yntau ai 'n fradwr, treisiwr trahauswedd. 
Crynai fyd i gyd yn gydwedd — rhagddo ; 
Rhag yno ddirio ei fawr gynddaredd. 

A fynai a laddai o lid, 
A fynai a gadwai i gyd, 
A fynai ostyngai ei 'stad, 
Ac a fynai dyrchai i'w dud, 
Archai, ac a fynai gai fod. 

Uchder ei falchder a fu — wir achos 

Tr Goruchaf wgu, 

A'i droi 'n is ; o deyrnasu 

I waeth 'stad na chaethwas du. 

Pablwyd, ac o fysg pobloedd 
Gyrwyd ef, digariad oedd. 



79 

Y pwyll i'w galon paHai, 
Megis calon eidion ai : 
Di anwydau dyn ydoedd ; 
Un fel uthr anghenfil oedd ; 
Gyda r cyfry w 'n by w, a bod 
Ar wellt, fel rliyw wylltfilod. 
A cbyd a hwy gwlychwyd ef 
Gaii, a than wlith y wiwnef. 

Hyd oni wybu, a chydnabod — pwy 
Oedd pen pob awdurdod, 
A phrif Ly w pob by w a bod, 
Barn, iawnder, a brenindod. 

Tithau, ei fab, ti aethost 
Yn flaenawr rhy fawr ei fost. 

Ymgodaist yma gwed'yn, — keb ystyr, 
Heb ostwng mewn dychryn ; 
A dilynaist ei linyn, 
Er gwybod o honod byn. 

Diystyraist, gwatworaist Dduw tirion, 
Ti heddyw, alwaist am sancteiddolion 
A daionus lestri ei dy union; 
Yma daetbant ; a chyda 'th gymdeithion, 
A chyda 'r ordderchadon, buost ti 
I'w halogi, y'ngwydd ei olygon. 

Moliennaist, addolaist dy ddelwau, 

A dy fwyn oeddynt eu defnyddiau, 

Gyda braenus, wy wedig breniau ; 

Dison ydynt a disyniadau. 

A Duw 'th bywyd a 'th biau — ni pherchaist ; 

Ti hawdd adewaist Dduw y duwiau. 

ger ei fron anfonid 

Y darn Haw, megis dwrn Hid, 

1 fanol ysgrifenu 

Dy ddychrynllyd ddedryd ddu. 

Samaritan Ian a ganlyn 

^TT^3D3 2PA A^ hl~3 

A'i heglurad gwelir yw hyn. 

Y farn y w hyn : Dy freniniaeth 
Rhifai Dduw, a'i rhif hi a ddaeth 

Q 



80 

I ben ; ef a'i gorphenodd 
Er ei fawl, mewn cywir fodd. 

Tithau, pwyswyd ti, weithion, 
Yn gy wir, fry, ger ei fron, 
Mewn tafol oesol, iesin ; 
Gwael wyd, fe 'th brofwyd yn brin. 

Dy freniniaeth helaeth lion, 
Heddy w, a roed yn ddwy ran ; 
Persiaid a Mediaid a'i myn. 
Gwir hefyd yw 'r ysgrifen. 

Y doethion heb son a synant — i gyd, 
A diwyd wrandawant 
Ar Ddaniel lawn urdduniant: 
Rhyfeddu o'r neilldu wnant. 

Toster a iawnder un-Duw — cyhoeddai, 
Cyliuddodd yr annuw. 
O ! agyrddwas y Gwir-Dduw: 
Eon a dewr dros enw Duw. 

Arcliai y Llyw, gwyw beb gel, 

Ei adduned i Ddaniel. 

Ni wenai yno wyneb 

Gan fraw: nid annistaw neb. 

Gan drymion argoelion gwelwant; 
Wedi byny y dihoenant; 
Ymbell i ing ymollyngant: 
Dir y gwasgwyd, a dargysgant. 



Rbag cyni af fi o'r fan 
I syllu betb sy' allan. 



A gwelaf fod trigolion — y gaered 

Yn gorwedd, fel meirwon, 

Yn ei bytbau yn ben boethion; 

Liu anfuddiol, oil yn feddwon : 

Neb effro yn gwylio galon 

Ar ei tbyrau, na pborthorion. 

O rbyfedd ! Pyrtb yr afon — heb eu cau ! 

Och ! bithau 'n sech weithion ! 

Ar hyd yr hon 

Wele alon ! 



81 

Ac wele, yr encilwyr — i'r flaenrhes 
Yn eres flaenorwyr, 
Gobr'ias, ac y breyr 
Gadata. Pa gynna gwyr ? 

Taerion torant 
I fewn, hyf ant, 
Agorant byrth y gaered; 
Llyna y llwybr, yn llawn lied, 
Heb oludd, hyd deml Belus, 
I Gyrus yn agored. 

O'r ffurfafen ysblenydd 
Lleuer, ser, a lloer y sydd. 

Ac eilwaith y trigolion — i'w cael 
Yn eu cwsg echryslon. 
Oni faeddir hwy 'n feddwon ? 
Oni syrth y ddinas hon ? 

Wele, Gyrus a'i lu gwrol, — treiddiant 
Trwyddi yn fuddugol; 
Taro wnant cyn troi yn ol ; 
Ennillant hi yn ollol. 

Cyn y borau gwnaed ei theiau 
Hi yn feddau anufuddion. 
Cyrus, yntau, a'i lummanau 
Ar ei chaerau, orwych Wron. 

Rhedeg i ryfyg rhydost, 
I uchder, balchder, a bost, 
Ac i ddewis gaudduwiaeth, 
I cbwerwedd, o'r diwedd daeth: 
Gorddwys watwor y Gwir-Dduw, 
Ysu yn dost weision Duw, 
Pechod na bu wermod waeth, 
A'u dug i farnedigaeth. 

O wledda traws ! O ladd trwm ! 
Ac uthrol y rhwyg athrwm. 
Lluoedd ar luoedd a las 
O ddynion, yn y ddinas. 

Taro Belsassar yn farwol — o'i gwsg, 
A'i osgordd freninol ; 



82 

Medi yn ddiammodol, 
Heb adaw neb o'i dy 'n ol. 
Yna Darius yn dirion, 
A ddaeth i'r freniniaeth lion. 

Cyrus ddaionus yna — a ollwng 
Allan gaethglud Juda ; 
Ant tu a'u gwlad ddifrad dda, 
I rydd eilfyd o'r ddalfa. 

Pob rliyw ddwyfol brophwydoliaeth — heb ludd, 
A gwbla Rhagluniaeth : 
Yn ol y Gair dwyfol daeth 
Y farn lion ar freniniaeth. 

Chwyldroau, troellau trallod, — gweledig 

Dreigliadau tra hynod 

Fu — ac sydd beunydd yn bod 

Heb achos, ond o bechod. 

A rhagluniaeth lor goleuni — a geir 
Yn goruweh reoli 
Pob gwaith a chwyl: — ymchwyl i 
Fwriadon ei Fawrhydi. 

Daw baich ar wlad a becho — heb ommedd : 

Bu yma dri chwylclro 

Terwyn, — a Duw yn taro 

Yn drymach, trymach bob tro. 

Gwir yvv gymmysgu yr laith 

Am enwir, yma unwaith, 

Troi dyn anhydyn yn ail 

f annofus anifail, 

O'i uchder i isder; — a 

Dwyn einioes y dyn yna : 

Holl edryd y llywodraeth, 

Heddyw, i ddistryw a ddaeth. 

Aeth i'r llwch harddwch eurdde, 

A llwyr ddinystriwyd y lie. 

" Syrthiodd Babilon." Son sydd, 

Heb gel, o wlad bwygilydd. 

Llwybr i ddyn lie bu 'r ddinas,. 

Ni welir drwy 'r certhdir cas. 

Nid oes ol ei heolydd ; 

Ei hanes hi, hyny sydd. 



83 

Trefle y Fwltur aflan, 
Trigfod gwestfilod yw 'r fan. 
Man anial, yn dal dilyth 
Nodan barn, lieb newid byth. 
Gwylia, ddaear ! gwel ddivvedd 
Ynfyd Lyw a'i anfad wledd. 

Crist fu 'n golygu trefn gwledd ; — dywedai 

Ei odidog Fawredd, 

Yn llwyr oil, y dull a'r wedd 

IV gweini i ogonedd. 

Boed i ddyn a dderbyn ddysg 
Wledda yn ol ei addysg : 
Ac ni chair gwae, na cliwerwedd, 
Dafn o lid o fewn y wledd. 

G. Williams, lieu 

Gutyn Peris. 



AWDIi 

AR WLEDD BELSASSAR, 



G AN DANIEL, GLAN AF ON EUPHRATES. 



BYR GYNNWYSIAD O R PRIF BENAU. 

Belsassar mewn rhwysg a mawredd yn cynnal Gwledd ardderchog 
yn Mabilon fawr, i fil o Dywysogion, pan ydoedd y ddinas tan war- 
chae, gan luoedd y Mediaid a'r Persiaid. — Gwyl arbenig yn y ddinas. 
-Llawenydd a gorfoledd y trigolion. — Paratoadau mawrion ar gyfer 
y wledd. — Y Dinasyddion, yn eu hynfydrwydd, yn lladdd ac yn 
aberthu i dduwiau a delwau Babilon — Yn gwedd'io ar Bel a Nebo 
eu gwared rhag Cyrus a'i fyddinoedd. — Mawrion y ddinas, yn eu 
harddwch a'u gwychder, yn cyfeirio tu a llys y Brenin. — Arlwyadau 
y wledd. — Y cynteddau yn llawn o bob hyfrydwch, a mwyniant 
daearol. — Hyfryd sain y Cerddorion. — Harddwch mawreddog Bel- 
sassar.-Disglaer brydferthwch ei Ordclerchadon, yn synu Urddasolion 
y wledd. — Araeth Belsassar wrth y Tywysogion. — Ei benderfyniad 
i fyned allan dranoeth i ymladd a lluoedd Cyrus. — Ychydig sylwadau 
ar fawredd a gogoniant Nabucodonosor. — Ei ymddygiad tu ag at yr 
Iuddewon. — Ei orchest yn Nghaersalem. — Ysbail y ddinas yn ei 
feddiant. — Belsassar a'i westeion yn rhyfygus gablu Duw r nefoedd. 
— Yn anfon am lestri 'r deml, nid yn unig i harddu 'r wledd, ond yn 
benaf i ddiystyru Duw Israel. — Difyrwch y wledd yn dechreu siglo. 
— Anwadalwch mwyniant daearol. — Bysedd Haw dyn ar galchiad y 
pared yn llys y Brenin. — Angel yn ysgrifenu barn yn ei erbyn. — 
Dirfawr syndod Belsassar. — Euogrwydd ei gydwybod yn rhwygo ei 
enaid. — Y doethion a'r dewiniaid yn methu dirnad y geiriau. — 
Dychryndod y gwahoddedigion. — Daniel y prophwyd yn egluro 'r 
geiriau. — Dinystr Babilon a'i delwau yn nesau, yn ol prophwydol- 
iaeth Esay .-Lluoedd Cyrus wrth y muriau.-Yn troi afon Euphrates. 
— Diofalwch y gwilwyr. — Y gelynion yn annisgwyliadwy yn myned 
i mewn i'r ddinas yn nyfnder nos.-Y canlyniadau arswydus. — Cedyrn 
y llu yn cyfeirio tu a llys y Brenin. — Dinystr ofnadwy yn y lie. — 
Lladd Belsassar.— Golwg ar ardderchawgrwydd Babilon a'i hardal- 
oedd, yn nydd ei llwyddiant.-Ei hanghyfannedd-dra presennol.-Yn 
gadael Babilon fawr, y ddinas deg, a'i phalasau hefyd, yn garneddau 
i adar y nefoedd, ac i ddreigiau yr anialwch. 



S5 

BELSASSAR wnai lachar wledd, 

IV Wroniaid eirianwedd, 

Yn Mabilon dirion deg, 

Lydan ddinas oleudeg, 

Gwledd fawr, gwyl o ddifyrwch, 

IV weision hoff loywon fflwch, 

Dewisol flodau Asia, 

Ar ddiwrnod hynod o ha', 

Mewn rhyfeddawl freiniawl fri, 

Eurog wledd i'w arglwyddi. 

Ar godiad haul araul rhoed banerau, 
I chwiliaw 'r uchelion, dirion dyrau; 
Yn addurnawl ddisglaer hyd y caerau, 
Mae prydweddol, urddasol dduwiesau ; 
Gyda 'u gwridog deg gariadau 'n hoywon, 
Rhodiai y mawrion ar hyd y muriau. 

Gwylmabsant prysur hoy weglur hyglod, 
Llawen wledd ddifyr, a lion loyw ddefod, 
Dydd cyfeddach, gloddest, a thrybestod, 
Gwych wyl addurnawl, ac uchel ddiwrnod ; 
Jubili heini hynod — ysblenydd, 

fawr lawenydd efo 'r eilunod. 

Y teirw a'r hyrddod lladdent trwy 'r hirddydd, 

A cheirw gwylltion, o ochrau y gelltydd, 

Carnolion daear, ac adar coedydd ; 

Mawr yw y lluniaeth, a mwy 'r llawenydd, 

Drwy hylon der heolydd — Babilon, 

Ni fu dynion yn fwy eu dywenydd. 

Gorfeddwent yn grefyddol, — aberthent 

1 borthi chwant cnawdol : 
Gwyl fwystfilaidd, ffiaidd, ffol, 
Aflan oedd yn flynyddol. 

Dynion gwalltgo', gwedi rhwystro, 
Yma 'n boddio meini byddar ; 
Lladd abertbau, i ffol ddelwau, 
Gwyl i dduwiau gwael y ddaear. 

Delwau arian, ac aur dilin — molent 
Yn mhaias y brenin ; 
Delwau o goed, diawl a gwin, 
A Iwyr wyrai lu 'r werin. 



86 

Mawr ddiwrnod yn bod i Bel — trwy 'r deyrnas, 

Yw hwn o urddas i'w heini arddel ; 

Difyr drwy bybyr dre' Babel, — yw 'r llu, 

Yma yn llonychu mewn llanw uchel. 

Ar Nebo bloeddio wnai 'r blaid — eu gwared 

Rhag Cyrus y Persiaid ; 

Eu gelyn, cyndyn y'i caid, 

A'i orenwog wroniaid. 

Dydd y wledd a anrhydeddid, — teml yr haul 
Oleuni araul, a wiwlan eurid : 
Drwy barthau 'r dre' abertbid — i'r duwiau, 
A llu o ddelwau 'n y lie addolid. 

Gwledd i ddangos nerth prydferthwcb — palas 
Lliosog deyrnas, llys ei gadarnwch ; 
Tai a gerddi teg, harddwcb — ei fawredd ; 
Gwledd o oferedd, a gloyw ddifyrwch. 

Goreufalcb deg wyryfon — y ddinas, 
A ddawnsia 'n yn hyfrydlon ; 
A gwelid lluoedd gwiwlon, 

bobl wych yn Babilon. 

Pybyr yw llongwyr y llynges, — rhwyfant 
Ar afon Euphrates, 
Disglaer blaid ganaid gynhes 
Ydynt hwy o dan y tes. 

Teg brydnawn o lawn lawenydd — haelwych 
A beulwen o gynnydd, 
Yma ar Belsassar sydd, 
Is ei blaned ysblenydd. 

Eirian eu tegwch, rhianod hygar, 
A dynai i fynu dan ei faniar ; 

1 bias iesin y brenin Belsassar, 
Y goleudeg, emog, le digymhar, 

Yn llu hyweddgu hawddgar, — wrth wahodd, 
Yn gain y deuodd enwogion daear. 

Ei boyw lwysaidd, chwyrn bylaw weision, 
Parod y'nt bwytbau, per yw danteithion, 
Ei bybyr gaerau o bob rhagorion, 
A gwresog hylwydd wiw groeso calon ; 
Lluniwyd y byrddau 'n llawnion — a dysglau, 
Rhyw bynod seigiau i'r hen d'wysogion. 



87 

I'r werinos Belsassar a ranai 
Ddiodydd, a bwydydd ni arbedai ; 
Gan y gweision yr oedd g'win, ac osai ; 
Holl gynnydd ei geurydd a agorai, 
Ystor o drysor didrai — cenedloedd, 
A golud oesoedd yno gludasai. 
Gwin yn anghyffredin eang ffrydiau, 
Sydd yn afonydd yn ei drigfanan ; 
Lie na fu ei eilydd, llawn — afalau, 
Pob rhagorol, a pher ethol ffrwythau 
Mil o ddolydd, a mel ddiliau — helaeth, 
A llawen odiaeth yw 'r holl eneidiau. 

Ac O ! mor ryfedd ydyw 'r cynteddau, 
O bob teg, harddaf liwdeg wyrdd flodau ; 
Lion, eres annedd llawn o rosynau ; 
Mawr oedd ei barlwr, a myrdd o berlau, 
A digonedd o deganau — euraid, 
Yn wychion delaid, a chanaid olau. 
Nyth o wagedd yn ei thegwch, — difyr 
Ysdafell hyfrydwch, 
Pob mwynder, boff lawnder fflwch, 
Oedd yno, a diddanwch. 

Cerddorion tynion eu tannau — y sy'n 
Dadseinio 'r anneddau, 
Holl fywyd gwynfyd sy'n gwau, 
Drwy y gorwych der gaerau. 

Hoyw loywdeg fel yr hanl ydoedd — y gwr 
Yn ei gaerawg wisgoedd, 
A ser yn wir seirian oedd, 
Ei lawen hyfryd luoedd. 

Ar orseddfeinciau gorau y gwron, 

Yn eu teg dlysau, a'u gynau gwynion, 

Hardd eurwych ydoedd ei ordderchadon ; 

Ar y gweddaidd, arafaidd wyryfon, 

Yn y wledd ardderchawg heulawg hylon, 

Eryraidd sylwai yr urddasolion, 

Eu hawddgar, liwgar, olygon, — erfai, 

Yno der daniai eneidiau 'r dynion. 

Agor ymadrodd mewn geiriau medrus, 
Wnai Belsassar ffraeth, mewn afiaeth nwyfus 
R 



88 

Wrth ei holl wrolion, dynion dawnus, 
Yn y plas eirian, tirion, pleserus, 
Ar sedd oleuwedd liwus — o arian, 
Yn wr hoyw dyddan, ac anrkydeddus. 

" O dywysogion dewrion, a durawl, 

" O waed gwroniaid hoywdeg, eirianawl, 

" Pybyr feibion eryron arwrawl, 

" A redodd oesau anrhydeddusawl, 

" Yn wychion arfogion anorchfygawl ; 

" Awn allan y foru n yn llu niferawl ; 

" Ar Gyrus a'i wyr gwrawl — yn dd'iau, 

" Ni a wnawn wyrthiau, fy nynion nerthawl. 

" Ei fawr gad o'r wlad erlidiwn, — ei wyr 

" A'i wersyll ysbeiliwn, 

" A'i ryfelwyr a falwn, 

" Anfad gawr, yn fwyd i gwn". 

Codai 'r enwog d'wysogion, 
Oil i fynu yn llu lion. 

" O ! frenin y fawr annedd, 
" A glyw yr arddercliog wledd, 
" Mae arfau ein teidiau teg, 
" Heb rydu bob rhyw adeg ; 
" Duwiau yr hen Galdeaid, 
" A gweision dewrion dy daid, 
" Anorfod ddynion erfawr, 
" Dorai lu daear i lawr ; 
" Gwae i Gyrus goeg wron, 
" Ddwyn saetli at y ddinas lion ; 
" Bel ein duw o'n blaen a dyr 
" Uthr filain wrtliryfelwyr." 

Yn eu diod yr andwyant — Gyrus, 

A gorwag ymffrostiant ; 

O'r oror ei wyr a yrant ; 

Ei drueiniaid a drywanant, 

A'i liiyddion ef a laddant : 

Y llys hynocl oil a seiniant ; — mewn gorchest 

A gloddest y gwleddant.* 



• Belshazzar and his lords are in the midst of their revels, the cups going round apace, and all 
upon the merry pin, drinking confusion, it may lie, to Cyrus and his army, and roaring out huzzas, 
in confidence of the speedy raising of the siege. M. Henry's Ex. 5 ch. Daniel, 



89 

Nerthol, arwrol ar eiriau — yw pawb 
Mewn pybyr feddyliau ; 
Ni fu dynion gweigion gau, 
Mwy anorfod mewn arfau. 
Hawdd yw son yn ddisynwyr, 
Am ymladd a lladd yn llwyr, 
Holl luoedd, dorfoedd dirfawr, 

Y Persiaid a'r Mediaid mawr, 
A chael glan oruchel glod, 
I'w henwau bawb yn hynod, 
A rhodio ffordd anrhydedd, 
Mewn gwynfyd a hyfryd hedd. 
Yma y sodda 'r masweddion — hoenus, 
Y' nghanol gorchestion ; 

Adail ddisail y nos hon 

A godant yn Nghaergwdion. 

Yn y wledd oleuwedd Ian, 
Seiniant glod, eu hynod, hen 
Deidiau, a'u troiau mewn trin, 
A chabledd ryfedd i'r Ion, 

Y nefol drag'wyddol Gun : 
Ar ei sedd, O ! mawr yw swn 
Belsassar, loddestgar ddyn. 

Llawer o falchder a fu 
Yn dilyn hwn a'i deulu ; 
Rhyfelgar anwar enaid, 
Hynod oedd yn ei hen daid ; 

Y ffordd yr ai hdnai hawl, 
Ennillodd Asia 'n ollawl : 
Hen Dyrusf hynod orwych, 
Firain dref eirian ei dry eh ; 
Hardd ddinas mewn urddas oedd, 
Cre' gadarn fel craig ydoedd ; 
Trwy derfysg, tyrau dirfawr, 
Hon chwalwyd, Uosgwyd i'r Uawr. 
Tref Sidon wiwlon deg wedd, 

A gorniwyd oil yn garnedd : 
A thrwm y gwnai orthrymu, 
Pob rhyw fan trwy Gana n gu; 

+ Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre for thirteen years, when he took the City and razed it to the 
pound. 



90 

Rhoddodd Salem mewn rhuddwaed, 
Tynai y dref tan ei draed, 
A'i dynion mewn cadwynau, 
Yn dyn a roes dan yr iau. 

O ! Gana'n deg, Ion eurdeg Ian ardal, 
A'i llysoedd enwog, y lie sydd anial ; 
Ei hyfryd deml oedd hefyd ddihafal, 
Geinwedd, ysbeiliwyd ganddo, was Belial ; 
Ar y difyr wyr d'iofal, — y nos hon, 

du 'r Iuddewon daw awr i dd'ial. 

E dynasai Nebucodonosor, 
Gwron aflonydd, a gerwin flaenor, 
Oludoedd trymion, o wledydd tramor ; 
Iddo anrhegion ddeuai yn rhagor ; 
Tra iesin oedd y trysor — cysegrlan, 
A gafodd yn Nghana'n, eirian oror. 

Cysegrwyd, rhoddwyd y rhai 'n 
Yn nhemlau, caerau cywrain, 
Eilunod Babel hoenwych, 
Fawr iawn dref, eirian ei drych ; 
Drwy allu Bel dryllio byd, 
A wnai 'r hyfion wyr, hefyd. 

Yn nglianol eu holl orfoledd — bloeddient 
Yn gableddus ryfedd ; 
Llygrwyd, halogwyd y wledd, 
Yn erwin mewn anwiredd. 

Plant Israel yn wael a welwyd — yno, 
Enw eu Duw a gablwyd ; 

Y cadarn Ior watworwyd ! 
Daeth y wledd i ryfedd rwyd. 

Y mae 'r llywydd mawr llawen — i'w weled 
A'i olwg fel mellten ; 

Disgleiriad ei oes glaerwen, 
Sy', wr balch, agos ar ben. 

I'w lys der galwodd am lestri gwiwlan, 
Teml fawrglod, ty hynod Duw ei hunan, 
Ei ryfedd ddisgleirwedd ddysglau arian, 

Y gemau, a'r perlau o aur purlan 
Gafwyd yno 'n gyfan, — mewn gorfoledd, 

1 iselu mawredd Salem eirian. 



91 

Y raeiliau harddwych yn llonwych llanwant, 
At eu pen llywydd yn ufydd yfant ; 

Mawl i'w duwiau a'u delwau dalant : 
Ar bob gem o Salem manwl sylwant, 
Fel disglaer ser lleuerant — yn y wledd, 
Trwy ei orwych annedd ter wreichionant. 

Onid olwyn anwadalwch, 
Ydoedd einioes eu dyddanwch ? 
Euraidd forau o ddifyrch, 
Nos o alar yno, sylwch ! 

Yma, siwrwd amserol, — am enyd 
Yw mwyniant daearol ; 
Yn y dydd annedwyddol, 

Y rhaid yn wir rodio 'n ol. 

Duw nef wen lawen oleuwedd — ganfu 
Eu gwyfyd a'u gwagedd ; 
Ei olwg mewn dialedd 
Droes i lawr, d'rysai y wledd. 

I farnu hwn, a'i freniniaeth — rwysgfawr 
I wasgfa marwolaeth, 
Angel yn ddirgel a ddaeth, 
I'w lwys hylon lys helaeth, 

Gweled y pared purwyn — a lanwodd 
Ei lwynau a dychryn ; 
Gallu Duw, ac 61 llaw dyn, 
Iddo, tost oedd y testyn. 

Wele bwys 61 y bysedd — ar y mur, 
Yn rhwymo 'i boll agwedd, 
Ercbyll y clwyf arcboll cledd, 
I'w enaid yn ei annedd. 

Cydwybod, hynod oedd hon, — yn dangos 
Ei dynged ecbryslon ; 
Dirgeledd droi ei galon, 
Tarawai frath trwy ei fron. 

Diau cydwybod euog — sy' ffwrnais 
UfFernol gynddeiriog, 
Ac uwch ben ei phercbenog, 
Mae mynyddau, creigiau crog- 



i>2 

Rhyw eirias, grychias ferw grochan, — o'i fewn 
Yw ei fynwes frwmstan, 
Ail i gynhwrf twrf y tan, 
A'r svvn dw'r sy'n y daran. 

O bobyl enwog y Babiloniaid, 

E alwodd yno lu o ddewiniaid, 

Holl ddirgel gynghor yr oror euraid, 

A llyfrau, caeth reolau cytlireuliaid ; 

Er doniau, blodau 'r blaid, — ni chadd heddwcb, 

O ! na dyddanwch nid oedd i'w enaid. 

Maeddwyd astronomyddion. — a delwodd 
Holl deulu 'r seryddion ; 
Er addaw aur, a rboddion, 
Ddarnau teg, am ddirnad bon. 
Wedi eu llenwi a dallineb — mae 'r 
Mawrion, mewn trychineb ; 
A dyddan iacb nid oedd neb, 
O ! ni wenai un wyneb. 

I6r trag'wyddol, rhyfeddol ei foddion, 
A'i weitbredoedd sy'n y moroedd mawrion, 
Betb yw cyrhaeddiadau doniau dynion, 
At amgyffred ei galed ddirgelion ? 
Eglurau, golau ar bon, — nid allai 

Y gwyr a chwiliai y gorucbelion. 

Gan Ddaniel arddercbog, yr bofF brophwyd, 
Er mor dy well, y llinell ddarllenwyd, 
Yn y glan glorian lion a eglurwyd, 
Geiriau y bysedd a gy wir bwyswyd ; 
Mae 'r orsedd mewn mawr arswyd — ysgeler, 

Y brenin, cofier, yn brin iawn cafwyd. 

Darfu ar gynnydd y dirfawr giniaw, 

Y mae 'r brenin gerwin yn ymguraw, 
Gan ofid, e welid llu yn wylaw ; 

Y per gerddorion sy'n dystion distaw, 
Loesau i'w bronau, a braw — echryslon, 
Yn awr mae 'r eigion ar ymrwygaw. 

O ! ddinas Babilon wiwlon olau, 
Cryfion a mawrion ydyw ei muriau ; 
Mae gwancus eirtb Cyrus wrth y caerau ; 
Eu llafur erfawr i'w Uifo 'r arfau : 



93 

Er tegwch a phybyrwch ei barau, 
Ei plilant enwir, ddyrnir heno 'n ddarnau ; 
Eu hannedwydd eneidiau — arswydol, 
A yrir i ingol oror angau. 

Yn ei oes wivvlan Esay a welodd, 

Y cawr a sonir, Cyrus a enwodd; [isaiahch. 45.3 
Duw Ior yn gadarn ei darian gododd, 
Cofiai ei elynion, O ! cyflawnodd, 

Yn ddidwn a dd'wedodd — am Fabilon, 
I'r Iuddewon yn ei air addawodd. 

lion Iuddewon a ddeuant yn Ian, 
Adre' i Gana'n wen drwy ogoniant ; 
Bro Salem a breswyliant — hir ddyddiau ; 
Yno eu telynau eto lonant. 

Y ddinas a'i meddiannau — agorir 

1 Gyrus yn dd'iau ; 
Dryllir, dulir eu delwau ; 
Mae nos liir yma 'n nesau. 

Mae 'r gadres fel mawr gedrwydd — llonwych, 
Yn llenwi y meusydd ; 
O flaen y dre' aflonydd, 
Rhif y ser o arfau sydd. 

Trwy waitk chwyrn, cedyrn cydwedd — trwyadl 

Y troed pwysau mawredd ; 
Dw'r yr afon, dro rhyfedd, 
Yn is i lawr nos y wledd ! 

Prysur fu llu y Persiaid, — hoff eirian, 
A pbarod y Mediaid ; 
Eu dynion dewrion diriaid, 
Dreiddiai 'r lie drwy ddw'r a llaid. 

Ni bu gosgorddion y wledd fawreddog ; 
Ei milvyyr na'i gwilwyr yn wagelog 
Gelynawl, estronawl weis tarianog, 
Yn dorf a agorai y dref gaerog ; 
Llu dirfawr, llewod arfog — yn rhwygo, 
Oedd y nos hono 'n y ddinas enwog. 

Gwedi 'r mwyniant, gog'oniant gwiw gynnydd, 

Y bu erchylldod, a difrod efrydd ; 

Llifai gwaed a gwin drwy 'r gerwin geurydd ; 
Ar hyd y fan rhedai afonydd : 



94 

Gwilwyr a sawdwyr y sydd, — fawr nifer, 
Yn dyrau ysgeler, draws eu gilydd. 

Do'i Mediaid a Phersiaid i'w hoff orsedd, 

A mor o ddiluw, a mawr ddialedd, 

Mai bleiddiaid, yn ddiriaid llawn cynddaredd, 

Dryllient urddas y ddinas gadarnwedd ; 

Llwyr fwriwyd i'r llawr fawredd — gwledd ddifyr, 

Liu o ryfelwyr a'u holl orfoledd. 

Gollyngwyd o gell angau, — niferi 

farwol genadau ; 

Y llymion, sytliion saethau, 

Y sydd drwy 'u gilydd yn gwau. 

1 wledd y bonedd arbenig, 

Y deuai 'r fyddin dorf eiddig : 
Mae ei elynion mileinig, 
Yma 'n lleueru mewn llurig. 

Ysdafell y gweis difyr, — agorwyd 
Gan Gyrus yn bybyr ; 
Mesurai bawb, araser byr, 
Ro'i i fil o ryfelwyr. 

Taflwyd a hyrddiwyd o'u hurddas, — bygar 

Enwogion y ddinas ; 

Daetb angeu a'i gleddeu glas, 

I dori y gwyr diras. 

Belsassar anwar a fawr ddychrynwyd, 
Ei dy o'r gelynion drwg a lanwyd, 
Ei bygar Ian wragedd, greulon rwygwyd, 
A'i wiwlwys, addurnawl lys, a ddarniwyd ; 
Yn ei wledd, hwn a laddwyd — yn farwol, 
A'i holl weis gwrol a hyll wasgarwyd. 

Babilon ddihafal ei hardaloedd, 

Trwy ben osau, arglwyddes teyrnasoedd ; 

E fu ar bon hynod, wych freninoedd ; 

Dinas ddisgleirwen, llawen ei lluoedd, 

A dynion nwyfus o dan y nefoedd ; 

Gwlad hofF orenwog, gloyw ei dyffrynoedd, 

Sinar hardd, yn ardd wen oedd — is haulwen, 

Bro, ail i Eden ber olau ydoedd. 



95 

Hon ydoedd orwych, hynodwedd aeres, 
Lon firain heini wiwlan frenines 
Y tiroedd a'r moroedd, ddigydmhares : 
Dyddiau o fawr boenau fu i'r baenes, 
E dalwyd i'r hudoles ; — Duw 'r lluoedd 
A dorai 'r gwleddoedd o dai 'r arglwyddes. 

Hen ardal anial, unig, yr awron 
Yw 'r orawr nodedig ; 
Lie bu y wledd foneddig, 
Yn y dre 'does dyn a drig ! 

Ar ol Babilon fawr ei gogoniant, 
Ynysoedd laweroedd a alarant : 
Yn y llwybrau mynych, lie bu 'r mwyniant, 
Yn awr y dreigiau anwar a drigant ; 
Adar lu, nythu a wnant — trwy 'i chaerau, 
Yn ei phalasau yr anhoff leisiant. 

Robert Parry, Eglwys Fdch. 




AR WLEDD BELSASSAR, 

GAN BELTESASSAR. 
ARGUMENT. 

PART I, 

The Poem opens with a description of Babylon, its magnificence 
and various beauties. — The Euphrates flowing through the City, on 
the banks of which the Jews are discovered weeping, lamenting 
their captivity, and longing after Zion. — A prophet is introduced, 
who reminds them that their sins are the cause of their afflictions. — 
He calls them to repentance, and encourages them by reminding 
them of former instances of divine interference in behalf of a peni- 
tent people, as illustrated in the deliverances of their forefathers. — 
He declares the intentions of Jehovah to raise a deliverer for them 
— describes the armies of the Lord assembling in defence of his 
people, approaching the City, and preparing to besiege it — details 
the particular circumstances which should attend the taking of 
Babylon, the transfer of the Kingdom, and the consequent deliver- 
ance of the Jews. — He is here interrupted by a confused noise 
occasioned by the approach of the army of Cyrus. — The Medes 
surround the City, and are daily assailed by the taunts and scoffs of 
the Babylonians ; who trust in the strength of their massive walls. 

PART II. 

The second part opens with a description of the morning, which 
is hailed by the Babylonians as the day on which they hold the 
annual Feast in honour of their gods. — Their festive mirth. — The 
dance and song. — The Hecatombs that are offered by the priests. — 
The temple crowded with votive worshippers. — The king goes in 
procession to the house of his god. — The heralds proclaim the royal 
Feast, and invite the nobles to attend. — The setting sun is repre- 
sented as hastening to the horizon, unwilling to witness the scene of 
iniquity. — The nobles are seen on their way to the palace. — The 
banqueting hall and the scene of clamourous mirth, &c. are depicted. 
— Whilst the king is blasphemously defying the God of the Jews, 

• Barnwyd mai yr Awdl hon a deilyngai y Gadair. 



97 

the handwriting appears on the wall.-His fear and consternation, &c. 
— He calls for the wise men, who are unable to decipher the mys- 
terious characters.-The prophet Daniel is summoned, who interprets 
them. — The clash of arms and the voice of contending warriors are 
heard without the walls of the palace. — Lest he should witness the 
dreadful scene of slaughter which is about to follow, the Poet retires. 



Y DOSPARTH I. 

HANBYCH, dref hoenwych, ar finion — ffrydiau 
Euphrades bereiddlon ; 
Ei mur a'i dorau mawrion, 
Ei thyroedd a'i llysoedd lion. 

Neud yw, o Seithdlws daear, — y flaenaf, 
O luniant digymhar. 
A hardd y sai' r dduwies war, 
Orsynawl, yn mro Sinar. 

Hyd yr heolydd daw yr awelon 
Ag iraidd arogl o'i gerddi aeron. 
Ei brig-gauedig gedrwydd-gysgodion 
A oera ias wyniawl twymwres hinon. 
A'i hydrwyadl Bedryon, O mor wych ; 
Ei llwyni llonwych, a'i llynau llawnion. 

Hen ac ieuangc, mewn gorfywiog awydd, 
Ar hyd ei helaeth, hyfryd heolydd, 
Draw eu gwelir, yn gwau drwy eu gilydd, 
Yn annybenawl fyrddiynau, beunydd. 
Trwyddi brwd sibrwd y sydd, — fal mor-ferw, 
A'i uchel lanw yn golchi 'i lenydd, 

Ei chan dor, hwyr a borau, — drwy rygnawg 
Rugl eu henwawg bybyr golynau, 
Uwch eu twrf na rhoch tyrfau — yn dyar, 
Neu ruad anwar mor a'i donau. 

Ar ael y fron araul, fry, 
Saif yr hoenlon syw freinlys : — 
"Wyneb haul, a'i wymp belydr, 
A'i serena'n gan mal gwydr. 
Aur telaid llawer talaeth 
A bro, i'w euro a aeth. 



98 

Wrth ystlys y llys mae 'r lion, 
Grogedig, erddi gwyrddion. 
A'u haeron draw ar irwydd 
Sy'n chwarae : a'u blodau blydd 
Ym min nos y mynwesant 
Wlych y nen, a'i loclii wnant. 
A phan y daw 'r gu-wawr gain 
I agor dor y dwyrain, 
Agorant eu brig araul, 
A'u mynwes, i wres yr haul. 

Euphrades sydd yn ffrydio — drwy ganol 
Y dref wirodiaethol, drwy farw-deithio, 
Fel un fai 'n dymuno — rhoi adlewych 
I bob rhyw wrthddrych iawnwych yno. 

Draw, ar bob Haw, mae lliaws 
O blanhigion, irion naws. 
A thai heirdd fythol-wyrddion 
Dew gelli, a llwyni lion. 
Godreon ei minion myg 
A hulir a mer helyg. 
Eu blagur a oblygynt 
Uwch y don, O wyched ynt ! 
A glwys y maent hyd ei glan 
Yn chwyfiaw, a chyhwfan, 
Gan wyraw dan yr awel 
Eu brigau irfoddau fel 
Rhyw ddi rif hardd wyryfon, 
Euraid wallt, yn crymu 'r don. 

Ond ust ! ar fy nghlust y daw 
Swn alaeth, a sain wylaw. 
Er mor bybyr mur Babel, 
Nid yw mor fangaw nas del 
Fry drosto afar dristyd, 
Ail i fwth y sala 'i fyd. 
Draw gwelaf ryw drigolion, 
A llwyd wedd gerllaw y don, 
Yn eistedd, ac yn astud 
Dremiaw ar ei chwyldro mud. 
Pryder, mal pry', a edwodd 
Y rudd wen, a'i hiraidd nodd 



99 

A wyvvodd gan boeth waeau 
Hiraethlon yn y fron frau. 

Acw hongiant, ar helyg gangau, — o'i mewn, 
Eu mwynion delynau. 
Ton y gwynt arnynt yn gwau, — lleinw finion 
Euphrades union a plirid seiniau. 

Neulltuedig, unig ynt, 
Odiaeth wahanol ydynt, 
Egwyddavvr ac agweddion, 
I'r bobl oil dr wy Babilon. 
Yn nhy Bel ni ymbiliant, 
Yn ei wedd plygu ni wnant. 
A duwiau y Caldeaid, 
Yn eu gwydd, mal dim a gaid. 
Jehofa, Duw eu tadau, 
A gaiff o hyd ei goffau. 

Son yn ddidau wnant am farnau' 
Ion a'i wyrtliiau, a'i law nertbol, 
Dros eu tadau yn mhob bylchau, 
A'i fawr radau, pan fu reidiol. 

* Ond yn awr gwrthodwyd ni, ' 
Cwynent mewn eithaf cyni. 

' O'n gwlad enedigol Ion, 

* Oil dodwyd ni 'n alltudion. 

' Y traed hyn fu 'n troedio ael 

1 Mynydd Caersalem anwael, 

' Och ! ond trwm, ni chant dramwy, 

' Chwaitb ei dol na'i maenol mwy. 

< Yn iach Sion dirion deg, 

' Ni chawn ni byth ycbwaneg 

{ Droedio 'th heolydd drudwych, 

« Na moli yn dy deml wycb. 

' Y llygaid hyn, cyn eu cau, 

' Ni welant Salem olau. 

' Ond salaidd iawn dyselir 

' Eu gwawl mewn alltudiawl dir.' 

Yna deuai rhyw Brophwyd eon, — draw, 
O'r dref, at yr afon, 
I draddawd ymadroddion, 
Er gwellau briwiau eu bron. 

L.oFO, 



100 

Ar orsaf las y safai, — ac atto 
Yn gyttun y cyrchai, 
Heb un yn goll, yr holl rai ; 
A'r gwr mal hyn 'r agorai : 

" O chwi, hil Abr'am ! ystyriwch lwybrau 

" Jehofa, a'i ddidwyll ryfeddodau. 

" Eicli ynfyd fywyd, a'ch anfad feiau, 

" A dyrai y Hid, a'r holl drallodau 

" Sydd yn disgyn, peunydd, ar eich penau 

" Yma, o gyrhaedd Caersalem gaerau. 

" Cyndyn, anhydyn, fu eich eneidiau, 
" Gan niweidio gweis Duw a'i genadau ; 
" Gwadu eu gwiredd, a gwawdio 'u geiriau, 
" A'u bwrw i ddyfnion ehwerwon garcharau : 
" A byw chwed'yn mewn erchyll bechodau, 
" A rhoi addoliad i bob rhyw ddelwau. 

" Rhoddasoch i Moloch, a'i fflara aelau, 
" Eich meibion tirion, yn faith bentyrau: — 
" Ac er trymion fygythion, ac aethau, 
" A mawr-res hynod o ymrysonau, 
" A Duw 'n ei fawredd yn codi 'n forau, 
" A rhoi llin ar lin o'i dduwiol enau ; 
" Arfeddyd pob rhyw foddau — i droi 'n ol 
" Dorau gelynol eich dur galonau; 

" Oil, er hyn, dryllio 'r iau, 

" Och ! waeth-waeth a wnaech chwithau : 

" Yna Duw a'ch gadawodd 

" I'ch rhwysg, i fynu fe 'ch rhodd, 

" I dd'od yn wael ddiadell, 

" Mor isel, i Babel bell. 

" Etto rhagorol Dduw trugarawg 
a Yw llywydd Israel, a galluawg. 
" Ni fydd hwyr i faddeu i'r euawg, 
" A adawo 'i feiau andwyawg. 
" Y mae yn ei natur dosturiawg 
" Radau foroedd i'r edifeiriawg. 
" Ac er iddo mewn dig gorhaeddawg 
" Ein rhoi yn nwylaw estron halawg, 
" A'n gyru, mal defaid gwasgarawg, 
" O araul fryniau Israel freiniawg ; 



101 

' Er hyn ni phery yr hawg — i'n cospi, 
1 A'n trallodi a'i ddigter llidiawg. 

' Gan hyn, hil Iago, na wan lewygwch 
1 O dan farnau Ion cyfion, ond cofiwcli 
1 Ymwneud a'i fawredd mewn edifeirwch, 
: A llwyr wylo mewn diball arolwch ; 
: Fe gly w ef eich lief o'r llwch ; — a buan 
; Iwch daw a diddan lawch a dedwyddwch. 

" Ystyriwch ei dosturi, 

" A nawdd gynt, i'n tadau ni. 

" Ei wyrthiau a'i law nerthol 

" I'w darwain hwy, droiau 'n ol, 

" O dir Ham, er dorau heyrn, 

u A grymusder gormesdeyrn. 

" E roddodd Flaenor iddynt, 

" A ddug ar adenydd gwynt, 

" Eu lluoedd oil yn llawen 

" O'r Aipht, er ffromder ei rhen. 

" Arweiniodd, tu ar anial, 

" Y dorf, a bu gerwin dal 

" I'r Aiphtiaid, rhwng canaid-droch, 

" A muriau caeth y Mor Coch. 

" Fe yr Ion hyf Arweinydd 
' I ninnau 'n ddiau ryw ddydd. 
; * Yn ei fryd e fwriadawdd 

O bell godi i ni nawdd. 
< Mae sain o'r dwyrain yn d'od, 

Twrw ei lu, mal taer lewod, 
' Yn gannoedd yn ymgynnull, 

Yn dorf ofnadwy ei dull. 

Ac a byw lid i gwblau 

Ei fawr odiaeth fwriadau ; 

Ac oil yn barod i'r gad, 

Arosant ei air-wysiad, 

A gant o'i enau, heb gel, 

{ Ewch bawb, dinystriwch Babel ; 
' ' Heddyw yr wyf yn rhoddi 
* * Y lie chweg yn eich Haw chwi. 
' ' Ond dygwch holl had Iago 
' ' Yn ol i'w hen freiniol fro.' 



102 

" A'i fur o'i ogylch, mal 'r ymfawryga 

" Acw, Lyw diwall hen enwog Galdea ; 

" Cadarn yw weithion, mewn cedr y nytha, 

" Echrys ei wyddfod ar ucliorseddfa. 

" Y rhen, ar yngan yr hwn yr hongia 

" Edef einioes y rhifed a fyna ; 

" Da ysblenydd y gwledydd a gluda, 

" Ar eu haml ethol ffrwythau 'r ymlytha ; 

" Yn ei warsythrwydd diystyr sathra, 

" A'r wreng a dreng, a throstynt y dringa 

" I anrhydedd, a rhodia — yn goegfalch, 

" Ffroen-uchelfalcli ar ei ffraenwych wylfa. 

" Etto creadur yttwyd, 

" Uwch yw Duw, er uched wyd. 

" Er iddo ef ein rhoddi 

" Yn dlawd wystl yn dy law di, 

" Yn eu lid, a'n hymlid ni 

" O'n gwlad, mewn tyn galedi ; 

" Y pair, ar ol ein puraw 

" O'n sorod oil, ys oer daw; — 

" Yna oil deuwn allan 

" Yn ein pwys, mal glwys aur glan. 

" Ond llwyr ysir, llosgir llu 

" Y galon, wnai 'n bygylu. 

" Un wedd a ddi'enyddwyr 

" Y tri llanc, er gwanc y gwyr. 
" Ni phery felly dy far 

" Yn oesoedd Belsassar ; 

" E ddaw Duw a'i ddydd dial, 

" A'i ddwrn dwys rhydd erwin dal. 

" O ! ofered dy furiau, 

" A lluoedd y tyroedd tau, 

" Dy aerwyr dewrfryd eres, 

"Dy aur prid, a'th gan dor pres, 

" Ban y del i'th erbyn di 

" Ein lor a'i lu aneiri'. 

" Cyn hir fe'u gwelir yn gwau 

" Yn gad fawr rhag dy furiau ; 

" A'u attal mor hawdd itti 

" Daraw y llawr — gwneud i'r Hi 

" Yn Euphrades ber-ffrydiol 

" Ddolenu i'w darddle 'n ol. 



103 

" O ! feibion Sion, y sydd 
" Mewn poenau trymion peunydd, 
" Ac anhafal ddygn ofid, 
" Wrth adgofio eu bro brid, 
u Sefwch, ac edrychwch ar der iechyd- 
" wriaeth yr Arglwydd, i'n rhwydd arweddyd, 
" O lafurio 'n Mabel i fro 'n mebyd, 
" Mewn aidd sanctaidd a hoenus ieuengctyd. 
" Dirwynu mae 'r der ennyd, — mae 'n agos, 
" I Dduw ddangos rliyw ffordd i ddiengyd. 
" Megis gynt y mor pan agorai, 
" A'r Iorddonen wen pan wahanai, 
" E drydd Euphrades yn drai, — a daw 'n sych ; 
" Ni chwery glwysglych ar ei glasglai. 

" Mwy ni ffrydia drwy ei bala 
" Na'i harllwysfa ei dwr Ues-fawr, 
" Ond gor-ruthrau aerawg lengau, 
" A'u glain arfau gloewon erfawr. 

" Gwae i Fab'lon, ) , 

■ ~ m ' > drom yn nesu 

" Mae y noson J 

" I'w rboi 'n isel 

" A hi 'n nchel 

" Daw yr ornest a hi 'n bloddest 

" Ac yn gloddest, gan goleddu 

" Pob erchylldod, a rhoi mawrglod 

" Fw heilunod, a'u moliannu. 

" Pan fo 'i mawrion yn westeion, 

" A'u berw 'n hoenlon, drwy 'r breninlys, 

" Yn clodfori Bel a'i foli, 

" A dyioli ei nawdd dilys. 

" Dorau Euphrades derwych 

" Lleibia'r Sanct, gan wneud llwybr sych ; 

" A thrwyddynt rhuthra eiddig 

" Arfogion dewrion a dig : — 

" Ar ei gwaelod y rhodiant, — a'i gwely 
" Gwiwlon a orlanwant, 
" A'u hyfion eirf chwyfio wnant, 
" A'u glanau a ddysgleiniant. 

" Hyrddiant, dewr-dy^rant drwy y dorau, 
" Fry i y ddinas yn fyrddiynau, 



j- lawenychu. 



104 

" A chyferfydd cyd-chwyf eu harfau 
" O flaen y llfs, yn flin eu lleisiau. 

" Can's i'r fan bo'r buria 'n bod r 

" Yr ar aruthr eryrod. 

" Y Gwylwyr a fygylant, — lluosog 

" I'r Llys y gorruthrant, 

" A'r Brenin yn ei win a wanant, 

" A'i arliiyddwyr dewr a laddant, 

" A'i ruddain goron a roddant — ar ben 

" Ei Llyw addien, mewn bri a llwyddiant. 

" Fel hyn, mewn munudyn, a 

" Diaillt deyrnedd Caldea, 

" Yn ddirwystr, i ddewr estron, 

" Yr hwn yw offeryn Ion 

" I gwblau ei eirau ef, 

" A'n hedryd ninnau adref. 
" Ein lor gwiwlwys a gyffry ei galon 
" I'n hadfer ni, a'n rhoddi yn rhyddion ; 
a Egyr ddorau ein carcharau chwerwon, 
•' Rhwyddha was hoywwycli, ein ffordd i S'ion. 
" Y ddinas a theml ddawnus Ion, — d'iau, 
" Cyweiria fylchau ei muriau mawrion. 

11 Dedryd i'r deml ei dodrefn, 

" A lion a dry i'w hen drefn ; — 

" A'ch Uygaid chwi, yn dd'iau, 

" A welant hyn cyn eu cau. 
" O hil Abr'am ! cawn ettwa lwybro 
" Ar hyd ein hyfryd fabol hoywfro ; 
" Cawn drem ar Salem cyn noswylio, 
" A moli Ion yn ei deml yno." 
* # * * 

Bloedd uchel drwy Fabel fawr, 
Twrf terfysg trafod dirfawr : 
" Gwelir galon mewn golwg 
Drwy 'r glyn draw — argoelion drwg. 
Y Mediaid, yn haid ddi hedd, 
A Chyrus wych i'w harwedd, 
I'r ddinas sy'n rhwydd nesau, 
Ceuwch — diriwch y dorau." 
Dyna 'u hoer-drwst yn hwyr-droi, 
A rhwnc-lusg eu barau 'n cloi* 



105 

Wele 'r gethin fyddin fawr 

Yn nesu, 'n llu aneisawr, 

A'u llummanau 'n gwau i'r gwynt, 

Ac ornaidd olwg arnynt. 

Milein feirch a chammelod, 

Yn dyrau ar dyrau 'n dod; 

A phar anadl eu ffroenau 

Ryw lwyd niwl, ar led yn hau. 

Is carna 'u rhwysg cryna 'r ar, 

Dros enwog frodir Sinar. 

Deuant, gwersyllant ger serth 

Furiau Babilon fawr-werth. 
A'r Babiloniaid a gaid i'w gwawdio 
Oddiar eu muriau, gan ddewr ymheuro ; 
Deisyf eu gwaetkaf, a dwys fygythio ; 
A throi gwed'yn saethau i'w hergydio ; 
Yn fawr eu bost gan ymffrostio, — beunydd, 
O'u henwog gaerydd ; a'u didranc herio. 

Ond ni wna gwawd dynion gwael 

l'r Mediad dewr ymadael ; — 

O dyn warchadie nid a. 

Y ddinas nes meddianna. 



YR AIL DDOSPARTH. 

Y wawr weddus, a'i bysedd rhuddain, 
Sydd draw yn agor dor y dwyrain. 

Drwy y coed mae'r adar cain, — a'u didlawd, 
Dyner arawd yn eu harwyrain. 

(O'i bias iesin na chai Belsassar 
Wel'd ei rhuddgain oleuder hawddgar 

Y tro olaf, cyn myn'd trwy alar, 
O'i aur orsedd i fedd yn fyddar.) 

Nid cynt y ceir hynt yr haul 
Draw yn nhy 'r dwyrain araul, 
Nad y w 'r bobloedd, drwy Bab'lon, 
A dawnsiau, a llefau U6n, 
I'w arwyrain ar wawriad 
Gwyl Bel, yn ucbel eu nad. 

Mwynber seiniau offerynau, 
A'u per-leisiau pur luosog, 



106 

Sy'n gorlenwi 'r ddinas drwyddi 
A gorhysi sarllach gwresog. 

A Bel sy'n agor ei byrtli 
I reibio am yr ebyrth. 

Drwy 'i gynteddau ceir eidionau 

A'u brefiadau, heb rifedi, 

Ei allorau ag offrymau 

Ac aberthau braisg i borthi. 

Pob cell a chafell o'i chwr, 
Olynol, a dyn lenwir 
O grefyddol addolwyr, 
Yn fangaw dorf erfyngar. 
Wele draw gammelod, ri, 
Dan feichiawg, lethawg lwythi, 

ddrudion roddion at raid 
Bel ffur a'i abl offeiriaid. 

O'i lys mewn urddas y daw Belsassar, 
Mewn diwyg edmyg, a'i hoyw gydmhar, 
A llu o wychion osgyrdd llachar 
Yn ei ddilyd, gan ddiwyd ddyar ; 
A'r lion drigolion i'w gar — sy'n gwarau 
Eu penau 'n ddiau tu a'r ddaear. 

A rbed o'i flaen Herodion — yn gwaeddi 
A gwedd odidoglon ; — 
Traidd eu lief hyd hardd a lion, 
Boblawg, heolydd Bab'lon. 
' Chwi enwog Dywysogion, 
* Heii'ddion ser y ddinas hon, 
; Iwcb oil y mae annercli war 
< O bias iesin Belsassar. 
' Rhyngodd bodd iddo roddi 
' Ei chwyl wahoddiad i chwi 
i Heno i dd'od yn unwedd, 

1 Wrtb ei wys, i'w lys a'i wledd/ 

Fel hyn i derfyn y dydd, 
Yn llawn o bob llawenydd, 
Y ceir Babel uchel, Ion, 
Drwy 'i hylon der heolydd. 

Y mae yr haul, draw mor wylaidd, — fel xm 
Yn flin o'r drych ffiaidd, 



107 

A brys yn ei olwg braidd 

I guddio 'i wyneb gweddaidd. 

Yn awr mae lleni hwyrol — yn estyn 
Eu hedyn achludol 
Dros y ddinas urddasol, 
A bryn, a dyffryn, a dol. 

Wele eirian wawl arall 
Yn cyfodi, gwedi gwyll, 
Nes troi llywel Babel bell 
Yn ail ddydd, o loywaidd ddull. 
Ffaglau a llusernau sydd, 
Drwy y ddinas urddaswedd, 
A'u ter dan y gwatwar dydd, 
Nes hwnt yru nos o'i sedd. 

Yn mhob annedd mae gwledda, — amhuredd, 
A mawrwyn, a thraha, 
Nes llanw Babel uchel a 
Garni elwch, a grymiala. 

Troi i'r llys mewn brys or bron 
Yn awr y mae 'r Blaenorion, 
I fawr hoen y wledd freiniol, 
Yn eu rhif, heb un ar ol. 
I'r neuadd y crynhoant 
Yn lion iawn, a'i llenwi wnant. 
Eu mawr ri, er mor eang, 
I'w dwyn y sydd o dan sang. 
Rhed byrddau 'n rliengau drwy 'r wych 
Fan neuadd, mewn trefn hoywych. 
A than gu ddanteithion gant, 
A gwiw seigiau, gosigant. 
Moethau, a phob ammeuthyn, 
A fedd dae'r at foddio dyn. 
Ar glau aur-gawgiau i gyd, 
A siglant, mewn modd soeglyd. 
Llugyrn aur o'i lliwgar nen 
Acw bongiant, — a thair cangen 
A ddeillia o'i bardd a lion 
Golofhau naddawg-lyfhion, ; 
Mai ser, a'u lleuer, yn llu 3 
O'r entyrch yn amrantu. 



J 08 

Ac ar y mur ceir mawrwych 

Ddelwau maith, o gerfwaith gwych, 

O'r gwyr a fu ragorol 

Yn y bau, flynyddau 'n ol. 

JSimrody yr hwn osodawdd 

Dda sail eu dinas ddi sawdd ; 

A Belus, a phawb eilwaith, 

O'u myg odidogion maith. 

A cherf-lun Bel a welir 

Yn mherfedd ydd annedd hir, 

O aur bath, yn rhoi ei bwys 

Ar golofn farmor gulwys. 

A moes addas ymseddu 
Mae 'r gwesteion lion, yn llo y 
Nes Uenwi 'r neuadd addien 
Heb un bwlch, o ben i ben. 
Brithir y rbengau hirion 
A llu o r'ianod lion, 

Y cbweg belydru tegweh 

Prid o'u fflur wynebpryd fflwch, 
Mai swyn a melus wenwyn 
Yn dallu a denu dyn. 
Uwchlaw y saif uchel sedd 

Y Br en in, fab eirianwedd, 
Gan fain glain yn dysgleiniaw 
Yn loyw ei drem a'i liw draw. 
Gerllaw, mewn gwawr a llewych, 

Y ceir ei war gydmhar gwych ; 
A'i gwisg mor lachar a gaid, 
Yn llegu gwawl y llygaid. 
Hwynt yw canol-bwynt yn awr 
Yr holl dorf a'r llu dirfawr : — 

Y rhai sydd, mal disglaer ser, 
Yn llawen yn eu lleuer. 

Ffrystio weithion y mae 'r caethion, 
A'u twrw 'n eon, a'u tro 'n hoy waidd ;■ 
Oil yn gwisgi droedio i weini 
I'w harglwyddi, yn rhyglyddaidd. 

Wele yn awr lawen wi 
Wynfydawg yn cyfodi. 



109 

Dadwrdd, dwndwr, a thwrw, 

A garw forach a gor-ferw, 

Gan win yn llosg-ennynu, 

Arfoloch yw rhoch eu rhu. 
Mae pob tafod yn rhoi mawrglod 
IV heilunod, a hael hdni 
Holl oruchel fawredd Babel, 
A'i d'iogel fur diwegi. 

Yn eu mysg y clywir mawl 

Alawau 'r Bardd teuluawl, 

Y sydd ar ei sedd, eirieos, 

Uwch y mil, mewn gwycha moes ; 

A'i lais yn dilyn ei law, 

Mewn hwyl yn tra mwyn eiliaw. 
Gan draethu tras Belsassar, — ei achau, 
A'i wychedd digymhar ; — 

A'i gyfodi gwedi 'n gar 

I dduwiau 'r nef a'r ddaear. 
Ar unwaith wele 'r annedd 

Heb air, ac mor fud a'r bedd. 

Dacw Belsassar yn barod, 

A'i araith ddyfaith ar ddod. 

* O ! chwi odidog dywysogion, 

* Lion eu golwg, a llawen galon, 

* Dra y gweloch oleuder gwiwlon 

* Yn teru 'n wyneb eicb teyrn union ; 

' Ond un ddi wg — dyna ddigon, — yna 

* Edwa, ys oera, 'cb holl gysuron. 

c Yr wyf yn ddewin ar bob cyfrinion, 

* Ie adwaenaf feddyliau dynion, 

* O draw gwelaf ddyfnder y galon 

* O hyd i'r gwaelod, a pbob dirgelion. 

* Breuddwyd, a phob arwyddion, — sydd i mi 

* Yn ail i oleuni gloyw haul hinon. 

1 Ar Fabel. ddihefelydd, — a'i gwenawl 
' Ogoniant, wyf Lywydd. 
1 Diddadl i mi 'n gystadlydd 
1 Mewn gallu, ni fu ni fydd. 

c Pwy yn gydmhar i Belsassar 
< Drwy fro daear ? o fri dien ? 



no 

4 Ydwyf benaf, ac urddasaf, 
* Lyw uchelaf dan gylch haulwen. 
' Mae 'n fri i ddaear fy nghariaw, — a'r haul 
1 Roi 'i wen i'm goleuaw ; 
' Y lloer a'r ser ar bob Haw' 

* I'm mwyniant sy'n ymunaw. 

c A pha dduw drwy 'r hofF ddaear — i FEL 
' A'i foliant yn gymhar, 
1 A daena ei aden war 
' I lochi 'n dinas lachar. 

' Iselwyd Duw Caersalem, 
' Er rhoch ei lid a'i fraich lem, 
' A'i astrus wyrthiau rhestrol, 
' A'i ddoniau ef ddyddiau 'n ol. 
' Ac er ei holl ffrostgar waith, 
' Neu driniad ei daraniaith, 

* A chaeth fygythion, a chur, 

* I'w haedd-alon, a'i ddolur, 

' A son am S'ion a'i sant — aidd enw, 
' A'i ddinwyth ogoniant, 
' Ei fawl, a thy ei foliant, 

* A'i dirion ragorion gant. 
« O flaen BEL e ddiflanai 

* Ei holl nerth, a phallu wnai. 

( Ei deml wych, a'i dy mawl ef, 

* Heddyw sydd yn anhaddef. 
' A'i haur lestri yr awrhon 

* A geir yn brid ger ein bron, 
' Yn deg dlysau d'iogel 

« Yn hulio bwrdd Cylchwyl BEL. 
< Deuweh, a llenwch hwy 'n Uawnion, — uchel 
* Rhown iechyd BEL weithion, 

* Am 'r orfodaeth helaeth hon 
' Ar Dduw gau yr Iuddewon. 

1 Wele fi 'n rhoddi 'r awrhon 

* Her i Dduw yr * * * * « 
c***#Q c l!**# edrychwch draw 
Arwyddion i'm cythruddaw. 

a Wele fi 'n roddi 'r awrhon 
Her i Dduw yr Iuddewon : 
Och ! gwelwch, edrychwch draw ! 



Ill 

* Gan eu llwg, yn llewygol, 
' Fy enaid a naid yn ol ! ' 

' Y Brenin ! ! ' eb ar unwaith, 
Yr holl lu, mewn teryll iaith. 
1 Yna chwi, cynneliwch ef.' 
Ond garw uchled y grochlef, 
1 Draw ! hwnt, draw, ar y pared ! 
' Rhyw law yn chwyfiaw ar led ! ' 

Ar y wal draw, e welir 
Ger gwen y canwyllbren hir, 
Ryw ddigorph ddelw anelwig, 
Deneu, gul, heb gnawd neu gig. 
O mor drwm, ar y mur draw, 
A llesgaidd y mae 'n llusgaw ; 
Ac a, bys, fel fflamawg biD, 
Llysg eiriau, a 11 ws ger win. 

! a'r newid wnai 'r neuadd, 
Sigla, dygryna pob gradd. 
Traidd trwy eigion y fron frau 
Waedd ddwys yr arglwyddesau. 
Dacw gerf-lun Bel uchelwawr 
O'i le yn cwympo i lawr. 
Llewyga gwawl y llugyrn, 
Deryw eu chwai belydr chwyrn 
Oil, ond rhyw wyrdd-der teryll ; — 
Llewyrn yw, 'n lleueru 'n hyll, 

1 ddangos gweddau ingawl 

Ac erchyll, rhwng gwyll a gwawl. 
Aeth fferdod drwy 'u haelodau, 
Fel caethion mewn cyffion cau. 

Dyheu mae mynwes euog — Belsassar, 
Fel arth udgar, anwar, newynog. 
Mae braw y Llaw alluog — yn berwi 
Trwy ei wythi ei waed toreithiog. 

Dafhau o annwn sydd yn defhynu 
Acw i'w enaid euog, ac yn cynnu ; 
Mewn llewyg drathost mae 'n llygadrythu 
Ar yr ysgrifen sydd yn'serenu 
Rhag ei wyneb, ac yn daroganu 
Rhes o wythawl ddamweiniau er saethu 
u 



112 

Tan i enaid y brwnt, a'i ennynu. 

Gan boen a gloes mae 'r gwyneb yn glasu, 

Dan ymwylltiaw, a'r llygaid yn melltu. 

Cyhyr y bochau sydd yn crybycbu, 

A'r dannedd ifori yn rhydynu. 

Diflin y mae ei freicbiau 'n ymdaflu, 

Mai dyn ar foddi, yn 'screch ymdrechu. 

Mae llinynau llym y llwynau 'n llamu 

Gan ddycbryn,. a glin mewn glin yn glynu. 

Braw 'r canlyniad sy'n irad fraenaru, 

Fel fflamawg eirf miniawg yn ymwanu, 

Ei ddiriaid enaid, gan ei ddirdynu. 

Ys garw uched y mae yn ysgrechu ; 

Deuwch weithion, dyvvysogion sywgu, 

Symudwcb y rhin sy i'm dychrynu ; 

A ddaw o fil ddim un i ddyfalu 

Ystyr yr ysgrifen, a'i dilenu ? 

Ond d'wed golygon trymion yn tremu, 

Uwcb un ymadrodd, nad ych yn medru. 

Yna mae 'n gwaeddi, a'i lais yn crynu, 

Yn groch ac erchyll, Gyrwch i gyrcliu 

Y doetbion a'r dewinion i dynu 

Yr hug a wabardd i'r drygau oerddu, 

Odid a lunia, gael en dadlenu. 

Ac i y rbai y ceir rhu — anynawd 

Fy nblawd gydwybod i yn adebu. 

Acw yn bedeg y gwelir cenadwyr 
Drwy bob congl i ymofyn deonglwyr. 
Ar wib rbedant, y doetbion a'r brudwyr, 
I'r Llys rlneddawg, a'r boll seryddwyr. 
Saif draw, ger y LLAW, yr boll wyr — yn fud, 
Oil yn astud i ddarllen ei hystyr : 

Tremiant a syllant yn syn ; — ^ac yna 
Dadganant mewn dyehryn, 
' BYS DUW, mae 'n bysbys, yw hyn : — 
* Rhyw bael-ddysg uwcb marwol-ddyn.' 

A'u geiriau, mal eirf gerwin, — trywanant 
Trwy enaid y brenin. 
Ac utbrol ei ysgethrin 
Lafar bloesg, a'i lafur blin. 



113 

Yn hyn y daw 'r * frenhines — i'r golwg, 
Yn gain ei mwnwg, a gwen ei mynwes, 

Mor urdden, a gwen gynes — ar ei min, 
I roi i'r Brenin ryw eurber hanes. 
* O eirian Lyw, bydd fyw fyth, 
1 Drwy gofus oes dragyfyth ; 

* Na ddalier dy feddyliau 

* Yn gaethion, drwy goelion gau ; 
' Ffoed dy wae, — y mae gwr mad 
' Yn y deyrnas a'u dirnad. 

' Yr hwn sy'n deall rhiniau, — a'u dyben, 

* Yn debyg i'r duwiau : 

' Drwy nodi dirwyniadau 
1 Yr hyn y sydd ar nesau. 

* Oedd ef ddeonglydd hyfad 

' Breuddwydion dyfnion dy Dad. 
' Fel mellten, drwy 'r nen, i'w nol, 
' Gyrer rhedegwyr gwrol ; 

* Er dim prysured yma 

* Y gwr doetli — er drwg — er da.' 

Tawelu, llonyddu 'n awr, 
I raddau, mae cythruddwawr 
Belsassar, a Uiniaru 
Mae ei wedd lem, a'i drem dru. 
Yn ei olwg ef eilwaith 
Sedda anesmwythdra maitli. 
Gwibio rhwng ofn a gobaith, 

Y ceir ei fyddyliau caith. 
Mae 'n eofn — etto 'n ofni 

Y Llaw dan, a'i hamcan hi. 

Mae 'n awchus — etto 'n rhusaw ; — 
Mae 'n ddyrys, rhwng brys a braw. 
Am y ddor yn agoryd 
Edrych, mewn hirnych, o hyd. 
Ac o'r diwedd dacw 'r dewin — yn dyfod 
I'r ystafell iesin. 
Eir ag ef, rhwng byrddau 'r gwin, 
Yn lion ger bron y brenin. N 
Yna Belsassar, yn war ei eiriau, 
Drwy ofn a hyder, rhy' ofyniadau, 

b Nitocris, Belshazzar's mother. 



114 

' A wyt ti Ddaniel hynod dy ddoniau, 

' O glud Caersalem, glodgar ei seiliau ? 

1 I ti y cyfranwyd tecaf riniau 

* Hwnt a ddaw oddiwrth y santaidd Dduwiau, 

' I ddwyn dyfnion ddirgelion i'r golau, 

' Deall arwyddion o dywyll raddau. 

' Acw, yn ellain, mae rhwng y canwyllau, 

' Ryw law uthr, hynod, a fflur lyth'renau, 

' Na cheir drwy Fabel, na'i chaerau — hyfryd, 

' Wr i agoryd ystyr y geiriau. 

' Os gelli di eu deall, 

' A'u heglurau yn glaer oil, 

' Cei fawl, o urddasawl ddull, 

' A pliarch yn agos a pliell. 

1 Cei wisgo 'r porphor perffaith, 

' A diwyg o geindeg waith. 

' Am dy wddf, yn em i'w dwyn, 

1 Y rhoir gwiwder aur-gadwyn. 

' Yn nghlau ragorfreintiau 'r fro 

' Yn drydydd ti gei droedio.' 

Yna Daniel yn dyner — a ettyb, 
Etto 'n llawn gwrolder, 
" Aur rhudd i eraill rhodder, 
" I ti boed d' anrhegion ter. 

" Etto 'r ysgrifen a ddarllenaf 

" I'r Brenin, a'i rhin a olrheiniaf. 

" Yn awr, O Lyw ! clyw lais claf — y fflamlaw 

" Yn dygnawl eiliaw dy gnul olaf. 

" Awdwr y nefoedd, daear, a neifion, 

" Ynad yr anwir, a tliad yr union ; 

" Y DUW MAWR, ac i eilunod meirwon 

" Ni rydd ei hygaraf urdd a'i goron : 

" Gan dd'ial ar ei alon ; — a rhoi hedd, 

" Drwy hynawsedd, i ei druain weision. 

" Y Duw a roes i dy Dad 
" Oruch mawr, a chymmeriad ; 
" Gallu odiaetb, rhwysg llydan, 
" A chlod dros y byd achlan. 
" Y Duw 'r hwn y meiddiaist di 
" Y nos hon ei lysenwi, 



115 

« A halogi LLESTRI Had 
" Ei ddilys dy addoliad ; 
" Ow ! ac yfed, a halawg wetus, — win 
" O honynt yn wawdus ; 
" A'i herio ef yn ddi rus, 
" Drwy 'i annog yn druenus. 

'• Rhoddi hoywfri i dduwiau hyfreg, 
" O arian, ac aur, pren, neu gareg ; 
" A gwawdio gallu gwiwdeg — Duw S'ion, 
" A'i enw tirion, a phob gwatwareg. 

< MENE.' 
" < Yr IEHOFAH hwnw a rifodd 
« <Dy gu.deyrnas di, ac a'i darniodd. 

< tecel: 

" ' Yn y clorianau dwys fe'th bwysodd 
" c Yn noeth-gyfion, a phrin y'th gafodd. 

< PERES.' 

" * A'th freniniaeth fraen a wahanodd, 
" ' IV weis y Mediaid fe'i symudodd.' " 

* Dowch a'r lion anrhegion rhad, 

* I wobrwyo 'r Hebread. 

* Amser a eglura 'n glau 

* Ai givir ydy w y geiriau.' 

Twrf alaeth, hynt rhyfelwyr — a ddeillia 
Oddiallan i'r fagwyr. 
Trwst arfau, a gwaeddau gwyr, 
A dewr wawcb yr ymdrechwyr. 

Dynesu mae 'r llu i'r llys, — hwy luniant 
Ry w gelanedd ddyrys : — 
Ciliaf draw, mewn braw a brys, 
Rhag achreth y rhwyg echrys. 

Y Parch. Evan Evans, 

Darlythydd Cymraeg 
Yn Eglwys St. Martin, Caerlleon, 
A Churad Christleton. 



CYWYDD 



YMDRECH BUDDUG YN ERBYN Y RHUFEINIAID, 



Y PARCH. E. HUWS, BODFARY. 



CYWYDD 



AR 

YMDRECH BUDDUG YN ERBYN Y RHUFEINIAID, 



GAN MERDDIN EMRYS. 



Y CYNNWYSIAD. 

Effeithiau Rhyddid trwy 'r byd, ac yn fwy enwedig yn Mrydain. 
— Rhwysg a theyrnormesiad y Rhufeiniaid. — Araeth Boadicea i'w 
deiliaid. — Yr ysbryd o ryddid a ennynodd ynddynt. — Dinystr 
Llundain, a golygiad o Dafwys, a'i gorfoledd ar yr achosion. — Hu 
Gadarn, aduwiau eraill, ynarwyddocau eu boddlonrwydd o ymdrech 
y Brython. — Y Derwyddon yn rhoddi yr un arwyddion o'r aberthau. 
— Tri chan mil yn ymgynnull at Boadicea, a'i merched. — Darluniad 
o honynt. — Darluniad o'r noswaith o flaen y frwydr. — Gwroliaeth 
Boadicea, ei merched, a'i milwyr yn eu bymdrech. — Darluniad o'r 
noswaith ganlynol. — Ymsyniadau Boadicea yn ei llys. — Ei hynafiaid 
yn ymddangos iddi, ac yn ei chefnogi i farw yn hytrach na bod yn 
gaeth. — Ymdrech natur rhwng bywyd a marwolaeth. — Ysbryd ei 
gwr yn ymddangos iddi, ac yn hysbysu yr hyn a ddygwyddai i 
genedl y Bryihon.-Boadicea yn cymmeryd y gwenwyn, ac yn marw. 



O ! Ryddid ! pa arwyddion 
A welir, ar dir a'r ddn, 
O'th anian, a thywyniad 
Dy wres ar y fynwes fad ? 
Nid trwy fron gwron y gad 
Yn unig mae d' ennyniad, 
Ond treiddi ddwy lili Ion 

Y Fenyw, ie y Fanon ; 
A'r lliwgar rudd a'r llygad 

Yn dan gwyllt wnai di 'n y gad. 
Rhagot ti, na rhwygiad ton, 
Na chaerau, muriau mawrion 

Y Rhufain hen, na rhyfedd 
Dwr daear Seinar, a sedd 

• Bernid mai y Cywydd hwn a deilyngai y Tlws. 
V 



120 

Y Brenin mawr ! mawr ! — (neb mwy) 
Ynt rai i gyd, ond rhwygadwy ! 

Fal yr elfen felltenawg, 

Drwy 'r nef draw 'n rhuaw yr hawg : 

Tra rhwng creigiau, holltau hen, 

Tyr ddorau trwy 'r ddaearen ; 

Ar led, trwy fronau 'r eedyrn 

Ymdaeni, chwali 'n dra chwyrn. 

Yn Mrydain gynt, mawr ydoedd 
D' effeithiau 'nihob cyrau c'oedd; 
Nes codi 'n Ynys Cedyrn, 
Rhag pob plaid, warcheidwaid chwyrn. 
Caswallon, — iawn wron oedd ; 
Arthur, — ei mur rhwng inoroedd ! 
Caradog ! — cywir wedi 
Caed ei fron : — Frython o fri ! 
Ond etto, 'n ol rhifo 'r rhai'n 
Am Rydid, a llu 'Mrydain, 
Mwy 'n y cof, mi wn, y ca' 

Y syw Foadicea. 

Os trwy 'r byd, gwaedlyd fu gwaith 
Rhufeiniaid, a'u rhif unwaith ; 
Mwy wedi yma ydoedd 
Eu gwyn, a ganlyn yn g'oedd ! 
Nid digon oedd rhoi 'n Bonedd, 
Bri, a gwlad, dan eu byr gledd : 
Anrheithio, a llywio 'n llym, 
(Warth egraidd) mal wrth awgrym; 
Gwyr Rhufain, garw eu rhyfyg, 
Yn malchedd eu mawredd myg , 
A dybient lie dygent did, 
Ddadwreiddio 'n ddi-oed Ryddid : 
Fal y b'ai fawl a bywyd, 
Ar gledd bwynt arglwyddi byd. 
Arglwyddi r byd rhyglyddawl, 
I'r byd rho'ent hefyd eu hawl : 
Tybio wnaent (ond tyb wan oedd) 
Yn isel o'n Hynysoedd ; 
A'n cedyrn, hen eu ciwdawd, 
Iddynt hwy mal oeddynt wawd ; 
A'r Fenyw, pob rhyw fwyniant 
Och oedd, fal tybient, i'w chwant ! 



12] 

Ond Ah ! y mawr enaid oedd 
O'r golwg, yn nirgeloedd 
Prydain hen : ei helfen hi, 
Yn ei bol, yw tan-Beli. 
Y Rhyddid mor brid i'w bro 
Fawr oedd, ac heb farweiddio, 
Yn fynwes y wen Fanon 
T'wynai 'n frwd, taniai 'n y fron : 
Gwae ffrewyll a'i eyfFroawdd ; 
Ennyn hwn oedd yno 'n hawdd ! 
Clywaf ei llais : — " Rhag trais trwch 
" Mawr elyn, ymwrolwch : 
" Ymwrolwch ; mawr alwad, 
" A hir, i'n gylwir o'n gwlad ! 
" Sy'n wylaw dan sen alon, 
" Curwyr dwys rhwng caerau 'r don. 
" A oes bri, i chwi, o'u chwant, 
" Neu i Fonedd, na fynant ? 
" Oes trysor rhwng ein moroedd ? 
" Hwn i gyd yw eu rhan g'oedd ! 
" Oes hardd bryd gyd a theg wedd, 
" I'r feny w o hir fonedd ? 
" Ow ! trechir hwn i'w trachwant ; 
" Diderfyn och wyn eu chwant ! 
" I minnau, er fy monedd, 
" Caniatau mwynau mewn hedd 
" Rhan ni wnaent, o'r hyn iawn oedd 
" I'm i gyd : — a myg ydoedd. 
11 Ac o ddirmyg i fyg-waed, 
" Ffrewyllau, gweliau, a gwaed, 
" Treisio fy merched wedi, 
" Yw 'r hyn oil sydd i'n rhan ni ! 
" Ymwrolwch : — mawr alwad, 
" Hir, hir i'n glywir o'n gwlad : — 
" Angau i'r gwych, ing ar gaeth, 
" Gwelwch ! neu fuddugoliaeth f 

Ar y gair yr ai gorwynt 
Drwy 'r wlad, o'i hen gariad gynt ; 
A than anian ennynawdd 
I ryfel yn uchel nawdd. 
Lie 'r alon oil, ar olwg, 
Yn y man, oedd dan a mwg ; 



122 

A ergydiwyd o'r goedwig, 

A min y don, manau dig. 

Hen Dafwys, oedd ddwys ei ddydd, 

A lanwyd o lawenydd. 

Ac fal cawr dirfawr o'i don, 

D'ai i fynu 'mhlaid y Fanon ; 

Ac o'i werdd-wisg, a'i wyrdd-wallt, 

Y llifai, rhedai ddwfr hallt ! 
Crochlefodd, bloeddiodd o blaid, 
(Eon ddolef !) lien ddeiliaid : 

A chwarddodd, pan welodd waith 
Troi 'n ddolydd — ddolydd eilwaith, 

Y dref lawn, dra aflonydd, 
Gaerawg, flodeuaw g ei dydd ; 
Lie trigai, pwysai, heb baid, 
Rhif anwir o'r Rhufeiniaid. 
Ei fwyniant ef oedd fyned 

A holl dwrw ei lanw ar led, 
Yn chwyrn drwy gedyrn goedydd, 
Lie neidiai a rhedai 'r hydd : 
A'i Frython, rai gwychion gynt, 
Am ei lwydd a ymladdynt. 

Hen gadarn Hu 'n y goedwig, 
A lleisiau y duwiau dig, 
A gly wid ar glau awel 

Y gwynt, yn arwydd ddi gel, 
O'u gwiw nerthawl gynnorthwy 
I'w Brython : — tirion ynt hwy ! 
Ar eu tanllyd gerbydau, 

Trwy 'r tir y gwelir hwy 'n gwau ; 
A'u harfau, fal fflamau fflwcli 
Yn niwloedd yr anialwch ! 

Derwyddon wedi roddynt 
Arwyddion gwychion, fal gynt, 
Gwiw Iwyddiant, o goluddion 
Aberthau, — nid lluniau lion ! 
Tri chan rail o heppil Hu 
Ar unwaith, heb ymranu : 
O finau eu hafonydd, 
Pysgodwyr a helwyr bydd; 



123 

A llwythau myg llaeth a mel, 
Gwyr iachus a goruchel, 
A gynnullent, gain allu, 
At eu Banon galon gu ; 
Sef Banon, a'i bron a'i bri, 
Eres un ar Iseni. 

Hon welaf ! — nid y w 'n wylaw ! 
Dwfn ei bryd, a diofn braw : 
Am dd'ial, sef dial da, 
Mae 'n arfawg fal Minerfa. 
I'w merched, ow dynged waeth ! 
Difuddio 'u hetifeddiaeth ! 
Eu gruddiau (gynt lliwiau llwydd) 
Teg wridawg toa gw'radwydd ; 
Dan eu gwallt, gadwynawg giidd, 
Euraidd wawr, ar y ddwyrudd ! 
Tosturi o'u cyni caeth, 
A chofiant o uchafiaeth, 
Rlueni, sef bri a braint 
Tad a Mam, a'u cam cymmaint, 
A ennynodd yn anian 
Dieithriaid, a deiliaid dan. 

Drwy 'r nos, a mawr achos oedd 

Y gwylient yn nirgeloedd 

Y coedydd, a'u cauedig 
Gysgodion o freisgion frig : 
Wrth eu tanau, gorau gwawl, 
Di-brinaf nod wybrenawl. 
Can rhyfel, neud uchel don 

A derw addysg Derwyddon, 
Eres haid, tra ar eu swydd 
Ys dorent ar ddystarwydd ! 

Gwawriodd dydd: — ahaf-ddydd hwn, 
A roi wen-deg ar wyndwn : 
Ac eur-wisg ar bob goror, 
Ochrau maith, a cliyrau mor. 
Pan ro'ed bloedd gyhoedd drwy 'r gad 
Ar filoedd i ryfeliad, 
Ebrwydd, ar arwydd, hir rif, 
Banerawg, byw, aneirif; 



124 

Cerbydau, a charnau chwyrn 
Meirch y gad, raawr-wych gedyrn ; 

Y darian, a'r pladuriau, 
Dros y tir gwelir yn gwau : 
Torf wasgar, lawn terfysgoedd, 
Pob cerbyd fal ysbryd oadd ! 
Ar y gelyn oer gilwg, 
Rhuthrent, a gyrent mewn gwg : 
Yntau 'n ddur, a mur un modd, 
Un enaid a'i bennynodd. 

Y Fanon, un eon, oedd 
Blaenores y Win yroedd : 
Ac ar gerbyd tanllyd hon, 
Aflonydd, fy w olwynion ; 
Ei dwy ferch, d'iau o fodd, 
Cain luniau, a'i canlynodd. 

Eu llygaid yn danbaid ynt, 
A'u galar oil a gelynt : 
Dial a roes, do, ail wrid 
Ar ruddiau 'r rhai'n o Ryddid ! 
A'u bronau, caerau cariad, 
Yn noetbion, gwynion, drwy 'r gad 
Eu gyriad sydd ar gorwynt, 
A'u gwallt yn droellau 'n y gwynt ! 

Gwroniaid myg yr ynys, 
Milwyr o fraint, mal ar frys, 
Wrth weled byfed yw bynt, 
Yr eiddil dair, ymroddynt, 
Eu holwynion dilynant, 
Ail fywyd ac ysbryd gant. 
Weitliiau o'u bwau buain, 
Syth yr hed saetbau yr rbai'n ; 
A'r hir-bell bicell i'w bon, 
I galonau gelynion. 
Pladuriau, (arfau erfawr 
Poetbion olwynion) i lawr 
Megys yd, (ocb waedlyd chwant !) 
Mil o eraill maluriant : 
Tra gyrant, troau gorwyllt, 
Trwy lu blin byddin fal byllt. 



125 

Drwy 'r gwaed, hyd yr egwydydd, 
Weithiau 'r ant, rheclant yn rhydd, 
I ganol (O fawr gyni !) 
Gelynion llymion yn Hi. 
Liu ar lu yn Uwyr a'i lawr, 
Torfoedd ar dorfoedd dirfawr ; 
Llaw wrth law (difraw) a dur 
Irad alon yw 'r dolur. 
Angau 'mhob lliwiau a llun, 
Oer a welir, arw eilun : 
A'i waeddiadau oedd ddidawl, 
Rhwng bloedd y miloedd a'u mawl. 
Ond O ! er Uywio 'r lluoedd, 
Gan ysbryd yn danllyd oedd, 
Rhyw dynged,— dynged ingol 
I'r Brython wychion sy'n ol ! 
Aeth cri a gweddi i'r gwynt, 
Ran duwiau ni wrandawynt ! 
Trwy amryw gad ofnadwy, 
A brad oedd ymweliad mwy : 
Yr oeddynt i gyrhaeddyd 
Rhoddiad o ben Rhyddid byd. 

Y ddu nos a ddynesodd : 
Tafl dy len, f ' awen, o fodd, 
Ar y maes lie 'n oer a mud 
Hyd elltydd y'ngwaed alltud, 
Wyth deg mil, wych heppil chwyrn, 
Rhin a gwaed yr hen gedyrn, 
Sy'n gorwedd, gorwedd yn gau, 
Mawr och ing ! yn mraicli angau ! 
Na ad gl?/st yn dyst i don 
Ing, llewyg angau, llwon ; 
Gwaedd bychain, gweddw a beichiawg, 
Yr hen a'r ieuangc yr hawg, 
A roddid, rhag gofid gwaeth, 
(Ofer wylo) i farwolaeth ! 
Tafl guddlen ar elfen wyllt 
Tonau gyrwynt, tan gorwyllt ; 
A nyddent, o'u hanneddau, 
Goruwch brig y goedwig gau. 
I'r enaid sydd wir union, 
A theimlad di frad da fron, 



126 

Uwclilaw cred gyffred en gwaith 
Yn niben eu hanobaith ! 

Yn nirgelaf ystafell 
Ei llys gynt, lie bu Uais gwell ; 
Y Fanon, o wiw fonedd, 
Yn awr y sy'n oer ei sedd. 
Nid wylaw mae 'n ei dulen, 
Er ar law pwysaw y pen ; 
A grudd brudd ; ond gradd a bri 
Na chwynant yn ei chyni, 
Yn ei gwedd ynt enwog wawl, 
A mawredd uwchlaw marwawl ! 

Eisoes o'r byd a'i drasau, 
A mawredd hwn, ymryddau 
Wna 'i hysbryd ; byd heb oedi 
Ysbrydion i'w bron yw bri. 
O'i blaen y tybia luniau 
Hynafiaid yn dibaid wau : 
Gwyr o einioes goronawg, 
Oesoedd — hir oesoedd yr hawg ! 
Tra heibio 'r ant, trwy barau, 
Amneidiant, a mwyn nodau, 
Ar hon ei hil i'w dilyn, 
A'u hiaith, fal tybia, y w hyn : 
" Pa le, Boadicea, 
" Dan gel yn dd'iogel dda, 
" Y trigi 'n awr, erfawr wawd 
" Rhufeinwyr, neu rhy fwyn-wawd ! 
" I fynn dal dy fonedd ; 
" Na gwall o barcb, gwell yw bedd ; 
" Na foddia 'u gwyn, na fydd gaeth." 
A chiliant fal drychiolaeth ! 

Marwolaeth oedd mawr alwad 
Eu geiriau ; — i'w bronau brad : 
Ond anian wan dynai 'n ol, 
Ar fin yr annherfynol. 
Nes ymddangos y noson, 
O'i gwr, a bri ger ei bron ; 
A dywedyd, " Ynfyd waith 
" Ymddiried mwy i ddewr-waith 



127 

" Dy gedyrn, — O ! dig ydynt 

" Y duwiau, llawn gwyrtbiau gynt : 

" A allai ddyn, briddyn brau, 

" (Mwy na dynes mewn doniau) 

" A wnaethost, er annoetbion, 

" Dros Ryddid brid i bob bron : 

" Ond pwy, er ofnadwy nertb 

" Da ddoniau, nad yw ddinerth, 

" Rhag tynged, mewn addfed nod, 

" Neu arfaeth sy' annorfod ? 

" Hir dynged o flaned flin 

" A gyrhaedd wych a gwerin, 

" O'n heppil aneiddil ni, 

" Oer syniad i'r Iseni ! 

" Rbufeiniaid, Saesoniaid sydd 

" A Daeniaid o'r un deunydd : 

" Am oesoedd yn ormesawl 

" Y byddant, hdnant eu hawl 

" I'n tiroedd, lie r anturiant ; 

" Anhap blin fydd byn i'n plant ! 

" Rbwng creigiau, muriau mawrion 

" Yn dal yr orllewin don, 

" A mynyddau ; caerau c'oedd, 

" A pher anwyl ddyffrynoedd 

" Y trigant : — ond torant did, 

" I ymroddi am Ryddid. 

" Yno 'n bir, yn ein bwyrion, 

" A'u gwaed yn bur-waed o'n bon, 

" I Ryddid y ceir haddef, 

" A'i gwycb wna 'n wrtbrych dan nef ! 

" Tros oesoedd — oesoedd a ddel 

" Er Rbufain bir ei rhyfel, 

" A Saesoniaid, baid di bedd, 

" Hi ni ddaw yno 'i ddiwedd. 

" A'u bwau, a saetbau syn, 

" Gwiliant bi rbag pob gelyn : 

" Yn ei hachles, mynwes mawl, 

" Ger y llanw gorllewinawl. 

" Ond daw 'r dydd, pan fydd i fod 

" Uniondeb, a iawn undod : 

" A'r gwaed a fu 'n ergydiaw 

" Gelyniaeth, ddu-driniaeth draw, 



128 

" O ddwy genedl ddig unwaith, 
" Cyd-unir : — rhoddir un Rhaith I 
" Ond er, eu huno 'n diriawn 
" Digymmysg eu dysg a'u dawn 
" A fyddant, a rhyfeddawl 
" Gwn, un dydd, a fydd dy fawl, 
" Yn eu hiaith : — ni una lion 
" Yn oes oesoedd a Saeson." 
Dywedodd : — a d'ioedi 
Diflanodd, o'i hanfodd hi : 
A'i breichiau, tra brawycliodd 
Estynai ; mynai 'mhob modd, 
Ei ddala : awydd ddiies ! 
Gwynt yn awr a gaent yn nes ! 

Ar liyn, y gwenwyn i'w gwaed 
A roddodd ; a'r teg rudd-waed, 
O'i gruddiau, fu 'n lliwiau lion, 
A giliawdd at y galon. 
Ei hysbryd, g'yd a fu 'n gau, 
Yn araf ei synwyrau 
Ddadgloai : fal rliedai 'n rhydd 
O'i agored wiw gaerydd. 
Tua r nef y dolefodd, 
" Yn iachfyd, o anwychfodd: 
" 'i? wy'n dyfod — dyfod, nid oes 
" I mi ran mwy or einioes." 

Y Parch. E. Huws, 

Bodfary. 



GALARNAD 

AR FARWOLAETH Y GWIR BARCH. DR. HEBER, 

DIWEBDAR ESGOB CALCUTTA, 
GAN Y PARCH, J. BLACKWELL, TREFFYNNON. 



GALARNAD 

AR FARWOLAETH YR ESGOB HEBER, 



GAN ALARWR GLAN ISIS. 



LLE treigla 'r Caveri 1 yn ddnau tryloywon, 

Rbwng glenydd lie cliwardd y pomgranad a'r pin, 
Lie tyfa perlysiau yn llwyni teleidion, 

Lie distyll eu cangau y neithdar a'r gwin ; 
Eisteddai Hindoo ar lawr i alaru, 
Ei ddagrau yn llif dros ei ruddiau melynddu, 
A'i fron braidd rhy lawn i'w dafod lefaru, 

Ymdorai ei alaeth fel hyn dros ei fin. 
« Fy ngwlad ! O fy ngwlad, lie gorwedd fy nhadau ! 

A'i mangre y nos fyddi byth fel yn awr ? 

Y Seren a dybiais oedd Seren y borau, 

Ar nawn ei dysgleirdeb a syrtbiodd i lawr ; 

Y dwyrain a wenai, y tymmor tywynodd, 
A godrau y cwmwl cadduglyd oreurodd ; 
Dysgwyliais am baul — ond y Seren faebludodd 

Cyn i mi weled ond cysgod y wawr. 
" Fy ngwlad ! O fy ngwlad ! yn ofer yr hidlwyd 

I'tb fynwes fendithion rbagorach nag un, 
Yn ofer ag urdd bryd a pbryd y'tb anrbegwyd, 

Cywreindeb i fab, a pbrydfertbwcb i fun ; 
Yn ofer tywyni mewn gwedd ddigyfartal, 
A blodau amryliw yn bulio dy anial, 
A nentydd yn siarad ar wely o risial, 

A phob petb yn ddwyfol ond ysbryd y dyn. 
" Yn ofer y tardd trwy dy dir beb eu gofyn 

Ddillynion per anian yn fil ac yn fyrdd ; 
Yn ofer y gwiswgyd pob dol a pbob dyffryn 

A dillad Paradwys yn wyn ac yn wyrdd ; 
Yn ofer rboi awen o Nef i dy adar, 
A gwytbi o berl i fritlio dy ddaear ; 
Yn ofer pob dawn tra mae bonllef a tbrydar 

Yr angbred a'i anrbaith yn Uenwi dy ffyrdd. 
" Dy goelgrefydd greulon wna d' ardd yn anialdir, 

Ei sylfaen y w gwaed, a gorthrymder a cham : 
Pa oergri fwrlymaidd o'r Ganges 2 a gly wir ? 

Maban a foddwyd gan grefydd y fam : 



132 

Ond gwaddod y gwae iddi hithau ddaw heibio ; 
O ! dacw 'r nen gan y goelcerth yn rhuddo, 
Ac uchel glogwyni y MalwaW 'n adseinio 
Gan ddolef y weddw o ganol y fflam. 

" Gobeithiais cyn hyn buasai enw Duw Israel, 

A'r aberth anfeidrol ar ael Calfari, 
Yn destun pob cerddi o draeth Coromandel, 

A chonglau Bengal hyd i eithaf Tickree; 4 
Ac onid oedd Bramah 5 yn crynu ar ei cherbyd, 
Er y pryd y bu Swartz yn cyhoeddi fod bywyd 
Yn angau y groes i Baganiaid dwyreinfyd ? — 

Pan gredodd fy nhad yr hyn ddysgodd i mi. 6 

" A'th ddoniau yn uwch, ac yn uwch dy sefyllfa, 

A'th enaid yn dan o ennyniad y Nef, 
Cyhoeddaist ti, Heber, yr unrhyw ddiangfa, 

Gyd a'r un serch ac addfwynder ag ef ; 
Dyferai fel gwlith ar y rhos dy hyawdledd, 
Ennillai 'r digred at y groes a'r gwirionedd, 
Llonyddai 'r gydwybod mewn nefol drugaredd ; — 

Mor chwith na chaf byth mwyach gly wed dy lef ! 

" Doe i felynion a gwynion yn dryfrith, 
Cyfrenit elfenau danteithion y nen ; 

Y plant a feithrinit nesaant am dy fendith, 
A gwenant wrth deimlo dy law ar eu pen ; 

Doe y datgenit fod Nef i'r trallodus — 
Heddyw ffraethineb sy fud ar dy wefus — 
Ehedaist or ddaear heb wasgfa ofidus.. 
I weled dy Brynwr heb gwmwl na lien. 7 

11 Fy ngwlad ! O fy ngwlad ! bu ddrwg i ti 'r diwrnod 
'R aeth Heber o rwymau marwoldeb yn rhydd ; 

Y grechwen sy'n codi o demlau 'r eilunod, 
Ac uffern yn ateb y grechwen y sydd ; 

Juggernaut* erch barotoa 'i olwynion — 
Olwyuion a liwir gan gochwaed dy feibion — 
Duodd y nos — ac i deulu Duw S'ion 
Diflanodd pob gobaith am weled y dydd." 

Yn araf, fy mrawd, paid, paid anobeithio, 
Gwanai gam ag addewid gyfoethog yr Ior : 

A ddiflFydd yr haul am i seren fachludo ? 
Os pallodd yr aber, a sychodd y mor ? 



133 

Na, na, fe ddaw boreu bydd un Haleluia, 
Yn ennyn or Gauts hyd gopaau Himalaya? 
Bydd baner yr Oen ar bob clogwyn yn India, 
O aelgerth Cashgur hyd i garth Travancore. 

A hwyrach mai d' wyrion a gasglant y delwau, 

A fwrir i'r wadd ar bob twmpath a bryn, 
I'w gosod ar feddrod ein Heber yn rhesau, 

Ei gyfran o ysbail ddymunodd cyn hyn : 
Heber ! — ei enw ddeffrodd alarnadau, 
Gydymaith mewn galar, rlio fenthyg dy dannau, 
Cymmysgwn ein cerddi, cymmysgwn ein drgrau, 
Os dinodd y gerdd bydd y llygad yn llyn. 

Yn anterth dy lwydd, Heber, syrthiaist i'r beddrod, 

Cyn i dy goryn ddwyn un blewyn brith ; 
Yn nghanol dy lesni y gwywaist i'r gwaelod, 

A'th ddeilen yn ir gan y wawrddydd a'r gwlith : 
Mewn mynyd newidiaist y mitre am goron, 
A'r fantell esgobawl am wisg wen yn Sion, 
Ac acen galarnad am hymn anfarwolion, 

A thithau gymmysgaist dy hymn yn eu plith. 

Llwyni Academus, 10 cynorsaf dy lwyddiant, 

Lie gwridaist wrth glod y dysgedig a'r gwar ; 
Y cangau a eiliaist a droed yn adgofiant 

O alar ac alaeth i'r Uuoedd a'th gar : 
Llygaid ein ieuenctid, a ddysgwyd i'th hoffi, 
Wrth weled dy ardeb 11 yn britho 'n ffenestri, 
A lanwant, gan gofio fod ffrydiau Caveri, 

Yn golchi dy fynwent wrth draeth Tranquebar. 

Llaith oedd dy fin gan wlithoedd Castalia, 

O Helicon yfaist yn moreu dy oes ; 
Ond hoffaist wlith Hermon a ffrydiau Siloa, 

A swyn pob testunau daearol a ffoes : 
Athrylith, Athroniaeth, a dysg ar Awenau, 
A blethent eu llawryf o gylch dy arleisiau ; 
Tithau 'n ddi fost a dderbyniaist eu cedau, 

I'w hongian yn offrwm ar drostan y groes. 

Pan oedd byd yn agor ei byrth i dy dderbyn, 
Gan addaw pob mwyniant os unit ag ef, 

Cofleidiaist y groes, a chyfrifaist yn elyn 
Bob meddwl a geisiai fyn'd rhyngot a'r Nef : 



134 

Yn Hodnet™ yn hir saif dy enw ar galonau 

Y diriaid ddychwelwyd yn saint trwy 'th bregethau — 

Amddifad ga'dd borth yn dy briod a thithau — 

Y weddw a noddaist — y wan wneist yn gref. 
Gadewaist a'th garant, — yn ysbryd Cenadwr 

Y nofiaist dros donan trochionog y mor, 
I ddatgan fod lesu yn berffaith YVaredwr, 

I Fahmond Delhi, ac i Frahmin Mysore ; 
Daeth bywyd ac adnertli i Eglwys y dwyrain-— 
Offrymwyd ar allor Duw Israel a Phrydain — 
Yn nagrau a galar Hindoo gallwn ddarllain 

Na sengaist ti India heb gwmni dy Ion. 
O ! Gor Trichinopoly, cadw di 'n dd'iogel 

Weddillion y Sant i fwynau melus him, 
Pan ferwo y weilgi ar Ian Coromandel, 

Gofynir adfeilion ei babell bob un ; — 
Ond tawed em pruddgerdd am bennill melusach, 
A ganodd ein Heber ar dannau siriolach ; 
Yn arwyl y Bardd, a pha odlan cymhwysach 

Dilynir ei elor na'i odlau eu hun? 
" D'iangaist i'r bedd — pa'm galarwn am danat, 

" Er mai trigfa galar a niwl ydyw 'r bedd ? 
" Agorwyd ei ddorau o'r blaen gan dy Geidwad, 

" A'i gariad wna'r ddunos yn ddiwrnod o bedd. 
" Diangaist i'r bedd — ac wrtb adael marwoldeb, 

" Rhwng hyder ac ofn os unwaith petrusaist, 
" Agoraist dy lygaid yn nydd trag'wyddoldeb, 

" Ac Angel a ganodd yr Anthem a gly waist." 13 

1 Caveri— avon yn ngorllewin Hindostan, a lifa heibio Tricbinopoly, claddfa yr Esgob Heber, 
ac a ymarllvvysa i for Coromandel, wrth Tranquebar. 

2 Ganges— prif afon India— gwrthddrych addoliad y Brahminiaid. Cyffredin ydyw i wragedd 
daflu eu mabanod i'w thonau er mwyn hoddio y tluw Himalaya, a elwir yn Dad y Ganges. 

3 Y Malwah — rhes o fynyddoedd uchel yn nghanol Hindostan. Nid yw cyngbor na cberydd 
Prydeinaidd yn gallu ihwystro yr arfer greulon gynnwynol o losgi gweddwon byw gyd a'u 
gwyr meirw. 

4 Nid anghyffelyb Hindostan i driouglyn : Coromandel, Tickree, a Bengal, ydynt y conglau. 

5 Bramah, prif dduwies y Brahminiaid. 

6 Tybir bod tua 40,000 o Gristinnogion, ond bod mwy na'u hanner yn Babyddion, yn y Carnatic. Nid yw prin werth 
crybwyll mai un o hil dysgyblion Swarts, Cenadwr enwog, tua chan mlynydd yn ol, yw yr Hindoo a ddychymyga yr Alarnad. 

7 Angau disyfyd a gymmerodd Heber ymaitb tra y mwynai drochfa dwymn. Y dydd o'r blaen, y Sabboth, cyf- 
lawnai ddyledswyddau ei daith Esgobawl. 

8 Juggernaut, un o eilunod penaf Hindostan. Ar ei gylchwyl Uusgir ef ar gert anferth i ymweled a'i hafoty. 
Ymdafia miloedd o'i addolwyr dan ei olwynion trymion, ac yno y llethir hwynt. 

9 GAUTs, mynyddoedd uchel wrth Travancore, pemhyn deheuol. Himalaya, mynyddoedd uwch, wrth Casbgur, 
pemhyn gogleddol Hindostan. 

10 LLWTNI ACADEMUS. Nid oes ond a wypo a ddichon ddychymygu y parch a dalwyd yn Rhydychain i Heber, 
a'r parch a delir yno etto i'w enw. Yno y daeth gyntaf i wydd yr oes drwy ei Balestine, a gyfieithwyd" i Gymraeg mor 
ardderchog gan yr unig wr cyfaddas i'r gorchwyl, yr enwocaf Gymro, Dr. Vughe. 

11 Ardeb, Portrait. 

12 Hodnet, yn Amwythig ; yno y cyflawnai Heber swydd Bugail Cristionogol ynddifcfl hyd ei symraudiad i India. 

13 Gwel y Gwyliedydd am Hydref, 1827. 



CYWYDD 

o 

DDIOLCHGAR AC ANFARWOL GOFFADWRIAETH 

AM 

OWAIN MYFYR, 

GAN MR. SAMUEL EVANS, GERLLAW CAERWYS. 



THE MERITS* 

OF 

MR. OWEN JONES, dUdS MYVYR, 

THE ESTIMABLE 

COLLECTOR AND PRESERVER OF WELSH LITERATURE, 

ADDRESSED TO SIR EDWARD MOSTYN, BART. 

THE PRINCELY PRESIDENT OF THE DENBIGH EISTEDDVOD. 

(from the vision of taliesin, in llwyd's poems.) 

After celebrating other Votaries of the Muses, the Author proceeds : — 

And He, who still, with liberal hand explores 
The storied hoard, poetic page restores, 
Unfolds the Volumes to his Country's view, 
And bids her Chiefs and Sages breathe anew : 
To him, the Bard, the kindest words addrest, 
And clasp'd the generous Patron to his breast ; 
Look'd on the clifFs he lov'd, with patriot fire, 
The roll of ages held — his Country's Lyre ; 
And, as the Gift, with parent hand was given, 
Struck on its dulcet chords, the strains of Heaven ! 
Then said, with Angel voice, " thy boon be this," 
And soar'd to re-assume the Lyre of Bliss. 



Mr. Jones was the son of a respectable freeholder in Llanvihangel-Glyn-y- 
Mvvyr, (St. Michael in the Valley of the Contemplative,) in the county of Denbigh, 
descended from Marchweithian, (Ihe Equestrian,) founder of one of the fifteen 
Patrician Tribes of North Wales, whose territory was the uplands of Hiraethog, 
and whose armorial symbol was a lion rampant, argent, in a field gules ; to which 
Mr. Jones added the encouraging motto — " Nicl divudd y diwyd" — "the indus- 
trious will not be unrewarded." Of this origin also are the Prices of Rhiwlas, 
and that true lover of his country, the late Baron Price; the Wynnes of Sychtyn, 
of which house was Dr. Wynne, Bishop of St. Asaph, in 1714, of whom Willis, 
in his Survey, speaks so highly ; the Wynnes of Voelas, the Pantons of Anglesey } 
and Rhys Vawr ab Meredydd, of Bryn Gwyn, in Yspytty, the intrepid Standard- 
bearer of Henry the Seventh, at the battle of Bosworth. 

* The above biographical aDd genealogical notices (copies of which were liberally and gratu- 
itously disseminated at the Denbigh Eistedilvod,) were supplied by that zealous and indefatigable 
promoter of the interests of his country— the unmatched Welsh herald and antiquary of his age — 
and the warm-hearted and intimate friend of Mr. Owen Jones, — Richard Llwyd, Esq. of Chester. 

[Publisher ] 



137 

Mr. Owen Jones, was the founder of the Gwyneddigion, or North Wales 
Society ; to this Gentleman his country is indebted for the three copious volumes 
of the Archaiology of Wales, or British Classics ; for a valuable edition of a 
favourite Bard, Davydd ab Gwilym, the Ovid of Wales; for an edition of that 
pious and useful work, Dyhewyd y Cristion ; and for his generous and unremitted 
exertion in behalf of Literature.— His Countrymen, the Cambrian Society, offered 
him their thanks by public advertisement, in September, 1802. 

If the Maecenas's and the Medicis's of past times, have deservedly received 
from grateful Science, the Fama Superstes ; if Patrons born on the lap of Plenty, 
who have encouraged Learning, and cherished its votaries with means which it has 
cost them no care to collect, no effort to create, and no forbearauce to amass, 
live in Anvarwol eiriau (immortal strains ;) what meed is to be given to that merit, 
which, born in a situation where industry was necessary to existauce, has liberally 
given of its produce to rescue the neglected Literature of his Country from the 
destruction, which awaited it ? To munificence thus enhanced, the voice of praise, 
the lyre, and the lay, is alike unequal, but the reward which the bosom of worth 
invariably pants for, is to be found in the future. 

" Some there are of nobler aim, 

" Who spurn the inglorious lot, and feel within, 

" The generous hope of well deserved praise." 

Yea, Posterity will recognise, with grateful admiration, the Patron of Learning, 
not in the possessor of a Coronet, but in the person of a Citizen ; not in the palace 
of Opulence, but in the toil of Thames-street ; and, I contemplate with pleasure, 
the day when those, on whose lips the ancient language of Britain shall still live, 
will place the name of Owen Jones on the apex of the pyramid, that shall rise to 
record the benefactors of our Country. And when my worthy compatriots are 
disposed to do honour to the memory of Mr. Jones, and to themselves, the writer 
will be most happy to contribute. 



CYWYDD 

O GOFFADWRIAETH AM OWAIN MYFYR, 



GAN GOFIADUR C OF- AD AIL. 



THE ARGUMENT. 

If it is the chief praise of Bards, that they can confer immortality^ 
greater praise is still due to those, who have heen the means of pre- 
serving- their works. — The works of ancient Poets preserved by such 
means. — The chief collectors of manuscripts, and cultivators of the 
Welsh language celebrated. — Myfyr, the chief of them — his birth — 
descent — native place — and account of his life. — His ardent love 
of native country, countrymen, and language. — His establishment 
of the Givyneddigion Society. — The effects of the encouragement 
given by that Society to the cultivation of the Welsh language, 
Poetry, and Music. — His Archaiology of Wales, with a description 
of the Bards and Historians, according to the costume and manners 
of the respective ages in which they flourished. — His care for the 
moral and religious improvement of his countrymen evinced by his 
re-editing of Dyhewyd y Cristion. — The shade of an ancient Bard 
proclaiming his celebrity from the Monument in London. — The 
conclusion. 

OS penaf a mwyaf mawl 
Y Beirddion, arab urddawl, 
A'u swydd, bawb, yn oesoedd byd, 
Rheol fu, rhoi ail-fy wyd :— * 
Pa glod, a difeddrod fawl 
A roddir i wyr haeddawl, 
A ail-godent, lu gwedi, 
Yn g'oedd, yn ein oesoedd ni, 
O fawrion Feirddion a fu, 
O'u claddiad, i'w coleddu ? 
Di-barhad yW, heb y rhai'n, 
Hanes y Beirdd eu hunain." 
Drwy ofal dyfal un dydd, 
Yr Iliad \ or heolydd. 
A'r Eneaid,\ rin awen, 
O dan poeth, (dyna eu pen !) 

• See Horace, Lib. 4, Ode 8. 

+ It is said, that at first the Iliad of Homer was rehearsed about the Streets of Greece, in &e< 
tached pieces, before it was collected and published in its present form. 

* Alluding to the wish expressed by Virgil that his Eneids might be burnt. 



139 

Aclmbwyd: — cafwyd cof-waith, 
Etto 'n Beirdd, yn heirdd, a'n hiaith, 
I ninnau ('r Cymry) 'n unwedd, 
Fal pe bai, o fol pob bedd. 

Os ti, 'r hwn a geri 'r gwaith, 
A ofyni 'n hyf unwaith, 
" Pwy o'r gwyr, pur o gariad 
" I ddavvn lwys eu haddien wlad, 
" A'i choleddwyr, awch Iwyddawl, 
" Deilyngaf o'r mwyaf mawl ?" 
Yn mysg y teg-addysg wyr, 
O ! ymofyn am Myfyr !* 

Hir y bu drwy Gymru gynt, 
(Ein talaith) anfad helynt : 
Dan estron, a dinystriad, 
Drwy r cleddyf, pryf, a pbob brad, 
Beirdd enwog, a'u barddoniaeth, 
Er gyru hen Gymru 'n gaeth ! 
A chwedi, od ychydig, 
O ddwysder a dyfnder dig, 
A ddiangent ; dydd ingol 
Eu tew nych oedd etto 'n ol : 
Sef, bod yn llwyd bryf-fwyd brau, 
Ar golliant mewn llyfr-gellau. 

O'r diwedd, mewn hedd mwynad, 
Wedi eilio ein dwy-wlad, 
Coleddwyr, gwyr rh agora wl, 
O ddawn myg, yn haeddu mawl, 
A ddaient, yn nawdd awen, 
Gyda pharch, i godi ' phen. 
Sion Dafydd, ddysgedydd gwych, 
Oedd iawn-ben i swydd Ddinbych ; 
Ac Ab Prys, hysbys y son, 
A fu arall i Feirion. 
Lewis Mon yn union wr, 
Wychawl oedd : — a cboieddwr 
Barddoniaeth odiaeth wedi, 
A'n helaeth hynafiaeth ni. 
Mae 'r Bardd Hir, yn wir a'i waith, 
Yn mrigyn y Cymreig-waith : 

• The Bardic name of Mr Owen Jones. 



140 

Ac Owain Pugh, gwn y pen 
A b'iau, fal mab awen ! 
Ond etto, n ol rhifo 'r hawg, 

Y gwyr hyn, rhai gor-enwawg : 
Carwyr, goleu-wyr eu gwlad, 
A'u henwau 'n ddiwahaniad, 

Fal prif-wladawl, ddoniawl ddyn, 
Am Myfyr, rhaid ymofyn. 
Hanu ' wnaeth liwn, un ethol, 

wyr-bri, fu 'n oesi 'n ol : 
Sef Wynniaid, a saif enwawg 
Mewn hanes, yn rhes, yr hawg ! 
A Phrysiaid (bur-blaid o'u bon) 

Y Rliiwlas oedd wyr haelion. 
Ei wraidd oedd, nid o radd wan 
Mawr ach ethawl, Marchweithan 
A'i dyfiad, rhad, a hir liedd, 

Yn eginyn o Gwynedd ! 

Da ydyw, a di-adwytli : 

— Y Llew* yw arwydd y Uwyth. 

Mab ieuengaf, cuaf, cain, 

1 ddiwyd wr oedd Owain ; 
A choeliaf mai uchelwr, 

O eiddo gwych, oedd y gwr. 
Ein Owain, (da fu 'r newydd) 
Ei awel deg, a'i liw dydd. 
(Teg cofiaw) gynta' cafodd, 
A henwf fu, a hwnw o'i fodd : 
O Lanfibangel gwelycb ! 
Glyn y Myfyr, awyr wych ! 
Oddiyno, 'n awydd anian, 
Mabolaetb, (rhagluniaeth glan) 
Ai ' Gaerludd, gwr i lwyddo 
A da ddawn, gwn ydoedd O. 
Llwyddo wnaeth, a Haw Dduw Ner, 
Yn Llundain, enw, a llawnder, 
Iddo rboes ; ac einioes gyd 
A cbalon ddifrycheulyd. 

Ond er ei lwydd, nid ai 'r wlad 
A'i magodd, dan ddirmygiad : 

' The Crest of Mr. Owen Jones was a Lion rampant, and his motto " Nid difudd y diwyd." 
y Viz: Myfyr. 



141 

Ei galon Ion ar tynoedd 
Myfyrdod, a'i dyndod oedd. 
Ac anwyl oedd pob gwyneb, 
O'i hen wlad yn anad neb, 
Fw noddwr awenyddawl, 

fin hen Dafwys, a'i fawl ! 
Cof i'r rhai'n y w cyfranu 

O'i lwyddiant fwyniant tra fu : 

A galarent, gul orwedd 

Un o'i fath, Ow ! yn ei fedd ! 

Pan nad oedd un pen na dysg 

1 noddi awen hyddysg ; 

A'r hen-iaith, er ei rhinwedd, 
(Pwy gred ?) ar fyned i fedd : 
Y'nghanol heol a haid, 
Aswy eu swn, o Saesoniaid, 
Le nid d6f, ar Ian Tafwys, 
Gwelwn ! — ei lawn galon lwys 
A gludodd gariad gwladol 
I'r nen, uwch pen-ncliaf Pol.* 
Gwelodd, pan edrychodd draw, 
Pawb welodd, (nid heb wylaw) 
Ddigynhwrf idd ogoniant 
Hen Gymru, hoiF lu, a'i phlant ! 
Mae 'r dewr-weilch Gymmrodorion, 
Liu a fu, a'u Llew o Fon : 
A'u Goronwy gywreinwaith : — - 
Och ! heb un i achub iaith ! 
Gwelodd a synodd Ab Sion ; 
Gwelodd ! — a'i wladol galon 
Ferwinodd ; — a'i fawr enaid 
Ynddo, fal iawn Gymro gaid. 
Hwn dclygodd Wyneddigion, 
O wladawl, iawn frawdawl fron, 
Coleddwyr, hoifwyr eifaith, 
A'r rhin oedd, yn yr hen iaith, 
Ac addas Gymdeithas deg, 
Yn Llundain, (enwau Uondeg) 
Sefydlodd : — hudodd hoyw-don 
Ein iaith, a'i heffaith i hon. 



142 

Anfonent yna 'n fynych, 

Heirdd dlysau, sef gwobrau gwych, 

I Gymru, a'i llu oedd Hon, 

I noddi awenyddion. 

A buan, buan y bu 
IV gwiw nodded gynnyddu ; 
Ac ennyn yn nhir Gwynedd 
A Dekau (manau a'i medd) 
Rhwng creigiau fal caerau c'oedd 
Mwyn addysg, a mynyddoedd, 
Dan awen, neud o newydd ; 
Sef tan nod anian ein dydd, 
Na ddiffydd nawdd ei effaith, 
Tra byddo Gymro nac iaith I* 

Ond penaf a mwyaf maeth 
Owain Sion, iawn wasanaeth ! 
l'w Gymru, a'i llu, er lies, 
A fu anwyl i'w fynwes, 
Yn ei fvvriad anfarwol 
At ei nawdd, oedd etto n ol. 

A hyn ydoedd, hynodawl 
Uno dysg, a, hynod wawl 
Hen oesoedd, a'u hanesion 
(Eres ynt !) gyda 'r oes hon : 
Ac awen, — awen ddiwyw 
Hen Feirddion, a Beirddion byw ! 

Yn ei ddrych,f gorwych y gwaith, 
O Daliesin, a'i dlys-waith, 
Mewn barddas, mwyna' Beirddion, 
O rin mawr, byd 'Ronwy M6n t 
A ddaeant ; fal addawyd, 
O feddau 'r llyfr-gellau i gyd ! 
Ac wele 'n gyd, gwelwn gant 
O un enaid ennynant. 
Bardd-telyn Llychlyn y llyw 
Hyf aden, cyntaf ydyw ; 
Y'ngwisg, — (a hardd-wisg yw hon) 
Awdwr addysg Derwyddon. 

• The Gwyneddigion, and especially Myfyr, may be looked upon as the renovators of Welsh 
Literature iu our days, 
t The Archaiology of Wales. 



143 

Aneurin, Myrddin, un modd, 
Ddalenawg a ddilynodd 
Ein Llywarch, wych alarch, hen : 
A Llywarch nad yw 'n llawen.* 
Cynddelw, Bardd Cynddylan 
O ddawn myg, ddaiai 'n y man : 
Yr Iohy Tudur Aled, 
A hynaws liaws, ar led, 

Feirddion, awen fawr-ddysg, 
A sain mwyn, y sy'n eu mysg. 
Galw a wnaed ar Fab Gwilim, 
O'i lwch dd'ai, ni lechai ddim : 
Er Morfudd, lie 'r ymguddiodd, 
Wnai 'n fflwch y tew-lwch a'i todd. 

Amrywiol, fal mae 'r awen, 
A dull oes, diau a lien, 
Yw eu gwisgad, a'u gosgedd, 
Beirdd llys, ynt o bur ddull hedd ; 
Y llurig yw dull ereill, 
Awyr-liw yw lliw y lleill. 
Yn eu gwaith, a'u henwog wedd, 
Eu hoes welir, a'u sylwedd. 

Rhai ganant, mewn rhyw gyni, 
Am blant oil wylant yn lli ! 
Anian y lleill ennyn llid, 

1 ymroddi am ryddid. 
Yn y gad, enwog ydynt, 

A'u gwallt yn troelli 'n y gwynt. 

A'u telyn, y Beirdd-teulu 

A ganant, lleisiant yn llu, 

I'w noddwyr, i'e, nyddant 

Pob un ei gerdd, pawb iawn g'ant. 

A'r gerdd, fwyaf enwawg yw, 

A'r fwynaf wnair i'r fenyw. 

Gyda Beirdd, a gaid a'u bon, 
Hyd o raddau 'r Derwyddon, 
Haneswyr yr hen oesoedd, 
Gan Myfyr, deg wy^r, wnaed g'oedd : 

* Mourning for the death of his sons slain in battle. 

z 



144 

A'r doethion gynt rai dethawl, 
Gyda 'u plant, gwelsant y gwawl. 
Gwaith cymmysg, pob dysg a dawn, 
Yn ei gof-lyfr, yw 'n gyflawn, 
Drwy 'r oesoedd, dig oesoedd gynt, 
Anhylaw yn eu helynt, 
Hyd i'r Fanon* derfynodd 
Hil Tudur, mur yn mliob modd. 

Ond nid tros ddysg liyddysg hen, 
Na diwad enaid awen, — 
Mwya' ofal ein Myfyr 
A fu am Gymru a'i gwyr. 
Tu hwnt i'r byd, enbyd waedd, 
Ei gariad ef a gyrhaedd : 
A'i lafur, yn bur ddi baid, 
A rana nawdd i'r enaid. 
Tra 'r Cristion, a'i fron, a'i fryd 
Yw i Dduvv, a'i Ddyhewyd>\ 
Ei gu nerthol gynnorthwy, 
O lyfyr Myfyr fydd mwy : 
A sonia 'n ei wasanaeth, 
Yn y nef, am hyn a wnaeth. 

Y fath a hyn (o gofyn gvryr) 
Yw : — a mwyfwy a Myfyr : 
Ef yw 'r gwr, o'i fawr gariad, 
Yn ei lwydd, i lwydd ei wlad, 
A dreuliodd, o'i fodd, dda 'i fyd, 
Was ufudd, a'i oes hefyd, 
Dda oedran ! a'i ddiwydrwydd, 
Dros Gymru, ei llu, a'i llwydd : 
A'i dysg, a'i dawn, dasg ei dydd, 
Uwch rhifwn ! O ! a'i chrefydd ! 

Tithau, fy ngwlad, wiwfad wedd, 
Dywed, — pa beth yw diwedd, 
A wnaethost dithau 'n ethol, 
Addwyn wr ! iddo yn ol ? 
Pa golofn eofn a wnaist, 
Neu gof-adail gyfodaist ; 

* Queen Elizabeth. 

+ Dyhewydy Cristion, or the Christian's Resolution, translated from the English by Dr. J. 
Davies, and re-edited by the late Mr. O. Jones. 



145 

diriawn goffadwriaeth, 

Or hyn oil, i'th rhan a wnaeth ? 
O ! nid rhaid i'w enaid rhydd 
Dy gariad, na dy gerydd ! 
Dy Foelydd di ofalant 
Gadw y cof, rai gwiw-deg, gant, 
Am Myfyr ; — a'r gwyr garant, 
Yn eu plith, ddaioni ' plant. 
Mae 'i Farwdon, yn myfyrdod 
Pob dyffryn, a glyn o glod. 

Ond, ha ! pan dros Loegria lwys, 
A hyd hefyd i Tafwys, 
Edrychaf, gwelaf golofn,* 
Megys cawr dirfawr nad ofn, 
A'i phen goruwch pob nennawr, 
Twrf torfoedd lluoedd y llawr. 
Ac ar y pen wybrenawl, 
Uwch mwg, i'm golwg mewn gwawl, 

Y tybiaf fod un tebyg 

1 Fardd mwyn, o nef urdd mfg, 
A'i wedd, o ddull hedd, a lliw 
Ei hir-laes wisg awyr-liw ! 

I lawr, yn awr, un eirian, 

Y dengys a'i fys y fan, 
A'r heol lie rhoe awen, 

Wrth Dafwys, ei pbwys a'i phen. 

A dywed, " tra rhed, a'i rhin, 

" Hen Dafwys hon, a'i deu-fin, 

" Rhwng tyrau, muriau mawrion, 

" Y ddinas hir, ddawnus hon, 

" Tra byddo 'n goleuo gwlad, 

" Hwyl llewyrch haul a lleuad ; 

" Na glyn, na dyffryn, na dysg, 

" Dawn, haeddiant, awen hyddysg : — 

" Am Myfyr bydd ymofyn, 

" A'i glod, ar bob tafod dyn." 

Dywedodd : — ond nid awdwr 
Marwolaeth gaeth oedd y gwr : 

' The Monument near London Bridge, and overlooking Thames-Street. 



146 

Neu neidio, yn anodiaetk, 
I nosf ddiderfyn a wnaeth: — 
Mwy tanllyd ei ysbryd oedd, 
Ar ei nawf, ai i'r nefoedd : 
Lie Myfyr, a'r gwyr i gyd 
Da 'u hawen, a'u Dyhewyd : 
Lie 'r trag'wyddawl lwysawl len, 
Bywyd, a phurdeb awen. 

Mr. Samuel Evans, 

Gerllaw Caerwys, 

t See the conclusion of Gray's Bard. 




CYWYDD 

AR 

GANTRER GWAELOD, 

GAN 
MR. WILLIAM REES, LLANSANNAN. 



CYWYDD 
AR GANTRER GWAELOD, 



GAN ELIDIR LYDANWYN. 



Y CYNNWYSIAD. 

Golwg ar y wlad o ran ei sefyllfa. — Cywreindeb y trigolion yn 
llunio Sarn Badrig i argau y mor. — Golwg ar y gwaith. — Dychym- 
mygu i'r trigolion heriaw y mor wedi ei gorphen.-Golwg ar ansawdd 
y wlad. — Seithionyn, ceidwad y dyfrddorau, yn ei feddwdod, yn eu 
gadael yn agored — y mor yn gorlifo i mewn — ei araitli yntau wrth y 
brodorion ar ei ddyfodiad. — Eu dychryn — eu ffoad. — Y mor yn eu 
goddiweddyd — Uawer yn boddi — rhai yn d'ianc. — Un o'r rhai a ddi- 
angasai yn sefyll ar fryn i olygu y dystryw. — Ei alarus gwyn uwch 
ben ei wlad. — Adolwg ar y difrod. — Y diweddglo. 



Dalier sulw, fod y nod o-*-^ yn y Cywydd, yn nodi y banau wythsill ynddo. 



OLRHEINIAF, holaf helynt, 
A gwedd yr amserau gynt ; 
A rhoed Ner lawnder o lwydd, 
I olrhain i fanylrwydd ; 
Rho anian, o dy dan di, 
Dy gymhorth. O dwg imi, 
I roi yn awr, eirian nod, 
Golwg ar G autre r Gwaelod. 

Hyfryd wlad o Leyn fad fwyth, 
Wastad hyd Aberystwyth ; 
Llain hir o amaethdir mad, 
A morfa eang mawrfad : 
Y mor oedd fal mur iddi, 
Hallt wregys i'w hystlys hi ; 
Iach afon Mawddach hefyd 
Ai trwyddi, i'w gweini i gyd, 
Ei dwfr melus, iachus oedd, 
I'w d'iodi, da ydoedd. 
Dolenai trwy 'r ardal lonwawr, 
Yna myn'd wnai i'r eigion mawr. 



150 

Dynion mirein cywrein cu 
Oeddynt yn eu hanneddu ; 
Hwy wnaynt yn gadr Sam Badrig, 
I ddal o'r fro r dyfnfor dig ; 
Cadwynynt acw ei ddnau, 
A darn o fur cadarn cau ; 
Gwregysynt ei gry gesig, 
Ffrwyno a dal eu ffroenau dig. 

lawn y mynwn am unwaith, 
Roi amlwg olwg o'r gwaith, 
Pan ydoedd y pen awdur 
Yn llunio gwaith maith y mur ; 
Certwyni, meni 'n myned, 
Hyd y lwys ardal ar led ; 

{O'r bore gwyn hyd derfyn dydd, 
Eu gwelid yn gwau trwy ' gilydd ; 
Cludo llwythi o feini 'n fad, 
Wyr dilesg i'r adeilad : 
A chywrein seiri meini 
Yno a'i teg furynt hi ; 
Rhoddynt y brwd gymrwd gwych, 
I'w dal, adail deleidwych, 
M6r erfai nad allai 'r don 
Chwalu eu goruchwylion : 
Asio 'r Sarn na osiai r serth 
Weilgi, a'i ddwfr rhualgerth, 
Ddyfod trosti i lenwi 'r wlad, 
Teilwng y cai ataliad. 

Ac ar ben gorphen y gwaith, 
Y gwyr mewn enwog araith, 
Heriasant, — arwyr iesin, 
Hell oror y blyngfor blin : 
Gofyn gwaethaf, — gwaethaf gau 
Dannedd ei ffyrnig ddnau ! 
" Ha ! tyred yma, dringa dros 
" Ein mur yn ddiymaros ; 
J " Croeso iti, os medri, y mor, 
\ " Gyra dy ddnau i'n goror ; — 
" Ymwrola 'n mawr elyn, 
" Yma rhed trwy 'r muriau hyn — 
" Gormod gwaith ddwywaith i'th ddig 
" Aflonydd don fileinig ! 



151 

" Er cryfed, garwed dy gur, 
" Un dyrnfedd o'n cadarnfur, 
" Ni syfl byth, dilyth y deil, 
" Y furiedig favvr adeil ; — 
" Er i'th eigion greuloni 
" Yn derwyn i'w herbyn hi, 
" A'i churo 'n dra chwerw-wyllt, 
" Gwaetha 'th galon, hon ni liyllt : 
" Try 'n ol dwrw Uanw y llif, 
" A d'ialedd y dylif." 

A hedd a gawsant fwynau, 
Yn addas am flynyddau ; 
Yn eu bro oraddien brid, 
Yr oeddynt mevvn gwiw ryddid. 

Gwlad oludog, enwog oedd, 
Ail Eden araul ydoedd ; 
Ni bu harddach, mwynach man, 
Fwy enwog o fewn anian : 
Llwyni coed llawn cauedig, 
Ir-leision, breisgion eu brig ; 
Adar man yn cbwibanu 
Beunydd yn y coedydd cu ; 
Adlais eos dlos awen, 
Gynt ro'i wawd trwy Gantre wen. 
Heirdd balasau golau gwych, 
Adeiladau teleidwych ; 
Muriau, a gwawr marmor gwyn 
Addurnawl, ydoedd arnyn' : 
A rlioent, pan dywynai 'r haul, 
Ei derydyr gwiwfad araul, 
Adliwiau hynod loy won, 
Tra heirdd ar y Gantre' hon. 
Gerddi iwanferth gwyrddion-fad, 
Llawn o ffrwythau, moethau mad ; 

{Perlleni a llwyni llawniawn, 
Afalau 'n grog, felynawg rawn : 
A'r dolydd, O ! mdr delaid, 
Yn feillion gwynion a gaid ; 
Iachusawl heirdd fuchesoedd, 
Yn llaethog, serchog, ys oedd ; 
A defaid ac \vyn dofion, 
Grychneidynt, llamynt yn Hon : 
Aa 



152 

Ni bu gwell d'iadellau 
Yn bod yn Ewropa bau : 
Ac anwyl deg, ganol dydd, 
Gwelid yn mreichiau 'u gilydd^ 
Heirdd R'ianod yn rhodiaw 
Yn mysg meillion lion gerllaw : 
Edrych a wnaynt trwy ddrychau 
Ar oror y cefnfor cau ; 
Gweled Uongau 'n llengau lion, 
Yn nofiaw wyneb neifion ; 
Gan ddwyn o'r mor drysorion, 
Fn hardal ddihafal hon ; 
Delaid gyfoethog dalaeth 
Ei chlod yn dra hynod aeth ; 
Gwyneb anian yn gwenu 
Arni i'w berth addurno bu. 

Ond daeth arni gyni a gwall, 
A gerwin olwg arall ; 
Ca'dd y fad wlad oludog 

Y mawrddwfr, glasddwfr yn glog ! 

Seithionyn feddwyn a fu, 
I'w d'iachos fradychu : 
Gadawai gwedi diod, 

Y glwth folerwr di glod, 

Y dyfrddor yn agored, 

I'r mor a'i lif mawr ei led, 
Ddyfod trosti a'i soddi 'n serth, 
I'w eigionfol dig anferth I 

Y mawr weilgi dyfrlli dig, 

A'i chwai ddadwrdd chwyddedig, 
D'od i'r fro tan riio 'r oedd, 
Llidiog ae erchyll ydoedd. 

Yn ei hiaith, bloeddio weithon, 
Yn ercbyll wnai 'r deryll don, 
A d'wedyd gyda dadwrdd, 
u \yjr r i deffrowch ! a ffowch i ffwrdd ! 
" Fi piau 'r wlad, gwnewch 'madael 
" Yn chwyrn, rhaid i mi ei chael ; 
" Dw'r heli ydyw 'r hawlydd ; 
" Breniii arni, myfi fydd. 



153 

" Ni chaiff mwyach legach lu 

" O ddynion, ei meddiannu ; 

" Ond morfeirch, dewrfeirch y don 

" Fyddant ei hetifeddion. 

" Clywch chwithau ! ciliwch, weithon ! 

" Bob gwr, o le dw'r y don ; 

" Ar frys rhaid myned o'r fro, 

" Neu fygu yn fy eigion ! 

" Ha! p'le mae 'ch Sam gadarn-gan? 
" Dorau heiyrn cedyrn cau, 
" Muriau gwych oedd genych gynt 
" I'm hatal ? Dirym ytynt ! 
" Muriau i ddal llif moryd ? 
" Pw ! ffoledd, gwagedd i gyd ! 
" Un fath a phe b'aswn farch ! 
" Ni chymmer dw'r eich a'mharch ; 
" Drylliaf eich Sam gadarnaf, 
" A thrwyddi ar egni 'r af." 

Tros yr oror ai 'r mor maith 
Ar redfa chwern ruadfaith ; 
Ac O ! gyni, gwaeddi gwyllt, 
Tan guriad tonau gorwyllt ! 
Gwrolion yn hagr welwi 
Yn llwyd yn nghanol y lli' ! 
A'u plant bychain, rhai'n yn rhi' 
Yn eu gwydd yno yn gwaeddi ; 
Er eu gwaeddi egn'iol, 
Ni thro'i ton neifion yn ol. 
Chwerw unllais ddycbrynllyd, 
Dolef trwy 'r Gantref i gyd- 

Y gu rywiog wiw Rian, 
Foneddigaidd loywaidd Ian, 
Er teced, a bardded hon, 

Y lili gain oleulon, 

Ni phrisiai 'r mor ragoriaetb 

Y Fun, ond trosti fe aeth ; 
Boddai fonedd unwedd a 

Y seilion wyr isela' ; 

Yr annoetb wr dirinwedd, 

Yn wael, a'r doetb yr un wedd, 



154 

Wnaent gydfoddi 'n Hi' llaith, 
Oer annedd gaent ar unwaith. 

Gallai fod rhai 'n priodi 
Yn lion, pan ruthrodd y Hi', 
A throi 'r gwleddoedd yn floedd flin, 
A gorwyllt ddychryn gerwin. 
Ceisio d'ianc gwnai r llanciau 
Heb rus o'r eribydus bau ; 
A buain am eu bywyd 
Y rhedynt, gwylltynt i gyd. 

Rhedeg wnai 'r mor rhuadwy 
Heb aros i'w banos hwy ; 
Yn fileinig aflonydd, 
Tdnau ar eu sodlau sydd : 
Llawer ga'dd eu cydgladdu 
Tan drochion y ddofndon ddu. 
f O flaen y d6n flin e dynodd, 
\ I'r Ian, o'r anhoff fan, rhai ffodd. 

Gwelaf un o'r brodorion 
Mewn chwerwder tan brudd-der bron ; 
Drwy ing a braw 'n dringo bryn 
Trumawg, i roddi tremyn, 
Gol wg ar Gantrer Gwaelod, 
Gwelai fe anaele nod ; 
A'r golwg dyr ei galon, 
Dyrydd frath hyd wraidd ei fron ! 
Crochlefai, e waeddai 'n wyllt, 
A gerwin olwg orwyllt : 
" Ow !" raedd o, " 'n hoywfro hyfryd, 
" Er ei gvvae, mae 'n for i gyd ! 
" Mewn nerth mae 'r dwfr certb yn cau, 
" A dynion rhwng ei donau ; 
" Suddant yn brudd — brudd eu bron, 
" I ei leidiawg waelodion ! 
" Mae Mam fad a Nhad o'n hoi, 
" (O gyni !) yn ei ganol ; 
" O ! f ' enaid ! hwy 'r fynud hon 
<c Sy a deifr tros eu dwyfron. 

" Wele, ddn neifion mewn nerth, 
" Yn gyru acw at Grkerth ,• 



155 

" Trwy ofid aeth ein trefi 
" Yn Uwyr i eigion y Hi' ; 
" O'u hylon drigolion gynt, 
" Hanes nid oes o honynt. 
" A, Chaer Wyddno amdowyd 
" Tan gynhwr' y llifddw'r llwyd ! 

{" Yn soddi cair Cadair Cedawl, 
" Y mor hallt a'i cymmer i'w hawl ; 
{" Palasau del gwyr uchelwaed, 
" Y tonau a'u troes tan eu traed !" 
Try 'i weddlaith unvvaith yno, 
A'i drem am yr ola' dro ; 
A chwai y rhedai i'r aig, 
Ei ddagrau tros y ddugraig ; 
Ac fel hyn yn syn o'i serch, 
E lunia 'i ola' anerch : 
" Y fwyn wlad fu 'n oludog, 
" A llawn o bob grawn yn grog, 
" Aethost ti 'n llyn heli hallt ; 
" Diiau y mor a dywallt 
" Ddyfroedd trwy 'th ddyffrynoedd ffraw, 
" Yna i'w haddig anhuddaw ; 
" A'th holl ffrwythawl dyfawl clir, 
" A dw'r llanw dirllenwir." 

Dan wylaw yna draw e drodd, 
O'i golwg fe a giliodd ; 
Gorfu ado ei fro fras, 
Delaid, yn mdl mor dulas ! 

Tywod sy'n llenwi 'r teiau, 
A'r pysg yn gymysg sy'n gwau ; 
Morfeirch dihefeirch hyfion, 
Llymriaid arw haid yr awr hon, 
Sy'n heigiau 'n amlhau yn mlith 
Y gweunydd lie bu gwenith ! 
E geir, lie bu yd a gwin, 
Fawr grugiau o forgregin ! 
HofF lysoedd a phalasau 
Gan nerth y dyfroedd certh can, 
Eu cydiawl furiau cedyrn, 
Ddatodid, chwelid yn chwyrn ! 
E dyna certh donau cau, 
'R anoddyfn trwy 'r neuaddau. 



1,56 

Dw'r dylif doa 'r dolydd 
Fu 'n serchog, ddeiliog ry w ddydd ; 
Yn llawn meillion ceinion eu, 
Wnai wyneb y wlad wenu. 
Ydlanau hynod lawnion 
A chwalodd, daflodd y don ; 
Deisi gwenith dysgynynt 
l'r eigion, (anhylon hynt !) 
f A gwin melus iV ganmoli 
( Doraeth llawn, a drwythai y Hi' ; 
A gwridiai y gwirodydd, 
Liwiau 'r don tros lawer dydd ! 
Medd per yn meddwi y pysg, 
Gemau a llaid yn gymysg ! 

Felly 'r aetli y dalaeth deg, 
A'i chyfoeth, (anwych ofeg :) 
Fel nad oes, yn ein hoes ni, 
Hanes am gwys o honi. 

Gwelir eto 'i thrigolion 
Bob cnawd, fore brawd ger bron ; 
E rwygir bol yr eigion, 
Chwelir croth dofngroth y don ! 
Gwewyr esgor ar for fydd, 
I fawr radd, ryw foreuddydd ! 
Pob ton a'i dynion yn d'od, 
Chwyda 'r meirw o'i cheudod ! 
Gelwir hwy at eu gilydd, 
I y farn ofnadwy fydd : 
Yna, fe dderfydd anian, 
Awyr, a thir, dw'r, a than. 

William Rees, 

Llansamian. 



AWDIi 

AR AMAETHYDDIAETH, 

GAN 

Y PARCH. EDWARD HUHES, A.M. 
BODFARY. 



GWYNEDDIGION SOCIETY, 



WHOSE LIBERAL AND PATRIOTIC EXERTIONS, 



NEARLY SIXTY YEARS, 



HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO THE CULTIVATION OF THE 



WELSH LANGUAGE, ITS POETRY, MUSIC, AND LITERATURE 



I DEDICATE THIS 



POEM. 



EDWARD HUGHES. 



BODFARY, 24th OCTOBER, 1828. 



AWDL 

AR AMAETHYDDIAETH, 
GAN GWYNEDDYN. 



THE ARGUMENT. 

Agriculture contemplated as man's first employment. — Its influ- 
ence on his life, manners, and habitation. — A view of the countries 
where it is neglected.-Its interesting effects in Switzerland, Holland, 
England, and particularly in the Principality of Wales. — Agricultu- 
ral Societies. — Sir W. W. Wynn. Description of several late 

improvements in the Principality. — Menai Bridge. — The future 
progress and happy results of a still more perfect state of Agricul- 
ture contemplated. — The conclusion. 



DY nodded, awen Adda, 
Gofynaf, un ddoethaf dda, 
I'm i gyrhaedd magwrawl 
Fawrad Amaethiad, a'i mawl. 
Os hon, i ardd Ion, werdd lwys 
Y ber wiwdeg Baradwys, 
A rwyddodd ffrwyth pereiddiaf, 
Yn ol gorchymyn y Naf, 
Mwy o borth yma ' berthyn, 
O'i hylaw ddwylaw i ddyn ; 
Pan o'i chwys, heb hon, ni cha' 
Lafurwr i'w law fara. 

Ei gwaith ar ddiffaith rhydd wen, — a'i chnydau, 
Gwych neidiant yn llawen : 
Nawdd ei rhad wna ddaear hen, 
Anial, lwyd, yn ail Eden. 

Da y w ii ei heffaith, i'r dyn a'i hoffo : 
Uchaf i wledydd, yw ei chofleidio : 
Da yw ei lluniaeth, a diwall yno, 
I drefi 'n llawnion, draw a fu 'n llunio : 
A hon, i'w Brython eu bro — addurnodd, 
A da y llwyddodd Duw ei holl eiddo ! 



160 

Gwel ddyn ! gwael yw ei ddoniau 
Heb drin hon, — heb droi na hau ! 
Mi'eri, a d'rysni draw, 
A rydd y ddaear iddaw : 
A'i fryd yw, lie 'n foreu daeth, 
Hylaw yru Helwriaeth. 
Gwyllt yw, mewn gwall o duedd 
I degwch, harddwch, a hedd : 
A gwrthddrych o'n nych hen ni,* 
Drwy einioes ei drueni ! 

Amaethyddiaeth, faeth foethol, — wnai iddo 
Anneddu 'n gartrefol : 
Gan ddwyn un anfwyn yn ol, 
A'i ddenu i wedd ddynol. 

Trwy ei maith addysg, try Amaethyddiaeth 

Ddyn ; neu tora i addwyn naturiaeth : 

Rhydd i'w llu wiwdrefn, rhwydd a llywodraeth, 

D'iau fwy o elw, a da fywoliaeth : 

Y creulon wylltion a wnaeth — yn ddofiawn, 

Tyner eu gloywddawn, tan ei harglwyddiaeth. 

Lie mae 'n hau, try 'r cytiau caeth 
Yn dai lion, ada'u lluniaeth : 
Lliiestai, hyll eu hystyr, 
Yn borthladdau 'n minau myr ; 
A threfi helaeth, ryfedd, 
Llawnion, a gwychion eu gwedd. 

O'i dwylaw, eiddaw addas — a'i lluniaeth, 
Y llonir pob dinas : 
A dyn a wir edwyn ras, 
A dethawl ffyrdd cymdeithas. 

O brysied ! aed heb ruso, 
Hyd i Affrig i'w defFro : 
I'r 'Merig aed, er morio, 
At Indiaid, weiniaid yno : 
Myr deau, tra 'n mordwyo, 
Pob ynys, pawb a uno : 
A'th fawr rad, (hwyliad ei hynt) 
Dduw arnynt a'u haddurno. 

* The fallen state of man. 



161 

Myfyriwn, edrychwn draw, 
Ar wledydd i'w berlidiaw : 
Marwaidd, er teg dymmorau, 
Y'nt heb hon, i'w lion wellau ! 
Pwy a'th drin, Palestina ! 
Ni welir tir ynot ' da ! 
Ni ddaw o dir addewid, 
Ond caethder, llymder, a llid ! 
O ddiffyg hoywaidd effaith 
Ei dawn yn gyflawn a'i gwaith, 
Llwyr redodd He o'r Idal,* 
Fu 'n Eden, yn siglen sal. 
O'i llafur, y gwall hefyd, 
(Heblaw trawsder, balcbder byd) 
Y barodd fod Iberia 
Yn llymdir, — nid doldir da. 

Yr haul, a'i des, rheoli dydd — o'i nef, 
Wna 'n ofer a'r wledydd : 

Man neu barth, lie mwyna' bydd, 

Methiant y w heb Amaethydd ! 
Och ! gweled afiach goelion — neu fwriad 

Niferoedd o ddynion ; 
Och ! draw gweled iach drigolion, 
Heb wiw ryddid, hoy wber roddion ; 
Heb un doeth, i ddwyn bendithion, 
O deg wledydd, da 'u gwaelodion ;f 
Heb 'nabod, hynod yw hon — corn ' helaethj 

Amaethiaeth, a'i moethion ! 
Ond dyro i'm hynt dirion, 

Awen deg, a hoyw iawn don, 

Hyd wledydd, a bronydd bri, 

Dylanwad ei haelioni. 

Lluniodd, addurnodd yn dda 

Hael feusydd hyd Helfesia : 

A'i chreigiau ' wnaeth, ochrawg nen, 

Yn addas i'r winwydden. 

Ethyl for a'i dyfr-ddorau,§ 

Dyfnder mewn caethder mae 'n cau : 

• Campagna di Roma. 

t The writer here alludes to the deplorable state of agriculture uuder the Turkish government. 

% loeto diffundit copia cornu. 

\ The Sluices, in Holland. 



162 

A'i chynnydd, fel haf-ddydd hir, 
Sy hael-deg ar Iseldir.* 
Yn mhob lie del, gwel ei gwaitli ! 
Mae 'n deilwng o'i mwyn dalaith : 
Gwna bob gwlad yn Baradwys, 
Pob dyffryn, a glyn deg lwys ! 

Chwi feusydd, bronydd, bryniau ! — chwi goedydd ! 
Chweg ydynt eich ffrwythau ; 
A llawnion y'ch winllanau, 
A wnaeth hon yn lion wellau ! 

A rhin gwiw lwydded y rhan ogleddawl ; 
O I rho'ed ger llwynau 'r yd gorllewinawl ; 
Ei da a rano 'i wledydd dwyreiniawl ; 
Da y w i eithaf deau ei hethawl : 
Yn Mrydain firiain o fawl, — cartrefed, 
O fy Nuw, bydded yno fwy buddiawl. 

Wrth sain ein Brydain an bro, 
Wyd, f ' awen, yn adfywio : 
Eheda, er meithdra mor, 
I gyrhaedd y deg oror : 
Amaethiad y wlad lydan 
Dduwies gu, fo'th ddewis gan. 
Addurnodd hon, hawdd ddirnad, 
Ddyffrynau, a glynau 'n gwlad : 
Yn mynydd, a phob maenol, 
Dengys yn hysbys ei hoi. 
Lliw 'r dolydd, a'r llawr deiliog, 
Lie nytha 'r fran, lie can cog, 
A gwyrddion heirdd-deg erddi, 
Y'nt fawr-waith ei heffaith hi. 
Mor iawn deg y w mawrion dai ! 
(O fendith os i fan-dai !) 
Llanau, a threfi llawnion, 
Addnrnodd a harddodd hon ! 
Cynnydd Amaethydd yw 'r mad — wiw gysur, 
A geisia 'r ymddifad : 
Gwel wen elnsen y wlad, 
Chw'iorydd hi a chariad.f 

* The Netherlands. 

+ Great as the charity of our country is, yet, even the most prejudiced must allow, that the 
principal resource of the poor is Agriculture. 



163 

Ar Frydain, fro gain, Nef 'ro gynnydd ; 
Rhag pallu, methu o Amaethydd : 
Cnydau, clau ydau i'w gwaelodydd ; 
Corniog, da gwlanog rhoed i'w glenydd : 
A chadwed Duw 'n ei choedydd — lyngesau, 
Y gorau gwaliau rhag garw gywilydd ! 

Llaw-forwyn yw llafur-waith 
Pob newydd, gelfydd deg waith. 
Mae rhediad ei mawrhydi 
Uwch pontydd ein nentydd ni :* 
Sef dyfr-ffosydd sydd lesad 
Draw 'n ei dilyn drwy 'n dwy-wlad. 

Marsiandaeth heb Amaethydd, 
Och weled dosted f 'ai 'i dydd ! 
Ni ollyngai 'r naill angor, 
D'iau, fyth nid ai i for : 
Ni hwyliai yn ei helynt, 
Flin ei gwedd, o flaen y gwynt, 
Heb ddaear ffrwyth yn Uwythi, 
I'w gludo 'n awr o'n gwlad ni. 

Cryfder a gymmer y gad — yn ddilys, 
O ddwylaw Amaethiad : 
Gwyr morw^r (da wyr di wad) 
Y mor-d'ranau 'i mawr driniad. 

O ! mirain yw ei mawredd, 
A gwiwlon gwlad a goledd ; 
Mae golwg o'i hymgeledd 
Ar Lloegria, er ei llygredd : 
Hi ni ad un gwastadedd, 
Na bryn, yn hon, heb rinwedd : 
Iechyd diwyd, hyfryd, da, 
I bawb una, — 'i bob annedd. 

A thi, ein mad henwlad hon, 
Ein Gwalia, enwog, wiwlon, 
Derbyniaist di wir benaf 
Fendithion newyddion Naf ! 
A mynych iawn o'm annedd, 
Ar dy fynwes, achles hedd, 

* One of these is Pont y Cysylltu, near Llangollen, 



164 

Pan dremiaf, wylaf foliant,* 

Am dy lwydd, byw lwydd dy Want, 

Lie gynt, yn y gwynt yn gwau, 

Gwisg gadarn, oedd gysgodau, 

Sef deri, a d'rysni draw, 

Eu anialweh yn eiliaw; 

Meillionog, ddeiliog ddolydd, 

Yw 'r llawr, yn awr, yn fy nydd : 

Llawr gwanwyn yd, lie 'r gwenith, 

A ffrwythau blodau 'n ei blith ! 

A'i gyrau 'n ddwy deg oror, 

A'i odrau 'n ymylau mor ! 

Cwyd hen Glwyd heb arswyd ben, 

A gwenu mae 'n ddi gynhen, 

Ar effaith maith Amaethiad, 

A'i lliwiau sydd, a'i llesad ; 

A'i ffrwythau 'n ochrau pob nant, 

A'u cu rawn, a'i coronant. 

Yr erchyll hen Gestyll gwel, 

Yn y diwedd yn dawel : 

Mwy nid y'nt y manau dig, 

Am elyniaeth mileinig ; 

Na 'r unrhyw ' wnaent yr anrhaith 

O lwydd diwydrwydd da 'i waith : 

Yn lie gwyr chwyrn Lloegr a'u chwant, 

Adar nos a deyrnasant ! 

Pan o'r Gaer,f ar ddisglaer ddydd, 
Yr ymwelaf a'r moelydd ; 
Draw a ranant diriona' 
Hardd ddyffryn, ar ddyffryn dda, 
Mor gu, o Gymru deg wedd, 
I'm y w gwyneb myg Wynedd / 
Dwyre, dwyre, di oror, 
Dy greigiau, penmanau mor ; 
A dangos, O I dangos di, 
Draw 'r aradr drwy Eryri ! 
Syndod, a rhyfeddod fydd 
Yma 'i daith, i ymdeithydd, 

• Wylaf foliant. — To shed tears of praise, is as natural to man, as to shed tears of gratitude, 
which is but a common expression. 

+ Behind the Author's house is Moely Gaer, so called on account of its triple cireumvallation : 
and from the summit of which, the prospect over the Vale of Clwyd, a part of St. George's Channel , 
*Dd the Caernarvonshire Hills, is one of the most beautiful and picturesque, that can be imagined. 



165 

Ar hyn a wnaeth Amaethiad, 

A'i chrog lwydd hyd oclirau gwlad ! 

Gweled dan deyrnged i'w dur 

Hynotaf orsedd natur ! 

Mynych saif, goris manau 

Tirion, a wnai lion eu hau : 

Gwel feusydd, uwch meusydd maith, 

I'w dilyn yn y Dalaith ; 

for hyd oror eira, 
Cribawg, fynyddawg fan ia. 

Crechwena 'r Wyddfa mdr werdd 
Ei gwasg hi, yw ei gwisg hardd : 
Mae 'n nod rhyfeddod i fyrdd ; 
A'i phen ag wybren a g'wrdd. 

Oddiyno, anhawdd anian, 
A'i chreigiau, nid muriau man, 
Ni rwystra 'i gyrfa deg wedd, 

1 Feirion, a'i hy' fawredd : 
Lie a dwg ei llaw-degwch, 
A'i nerth ar dir serth a'i swch, 
A'i gwir nawdd, o gyrau 'n is, 
Hyd odrau hynod Idris ! 

O ffyniant, hwyliant heul-\yen — i'r bwriad, 
Ar Berwyn rhoed las-len ; 
Ar Ddyfrdvry ac Wy deg wen, 
A hyfryd finau Hafren. 

Gwyr enwog a wir unant 
Oil heddyw yn ei llwyddiant : 
Hau gweiriau hwy a garant, . 
A gwartheg teg a werthant. 
I rinwedd gwobrau ranant, 
Ac ydau dw} T s a godant : 
Holl Arfon a Mon a'u medd, 
A'n Gwynedd yn ogoniant. 

Ymffrostied, synied y Sais 
Ei ddefaid wledd a'i ddyfais : 
Os tewion, a gwychion, gwel 
Yr ychain y'nt oruchel : 
Nid Uai llwydd, yn rhwydd i'n rhaid, 
Ein diddoiion, da ddefaid : 



166 

A'n ychain ni sy'n iachus, 
Diion, a breision heb rus. 
A Llyw gwych, nid a Haw gaeth, 
Yma ' ethol Amaethiaeth. 
Ar lion, wr rhadlon, y rhydd, 
Wiw daeniad, ei adenydd. 
Gwir wellad, a gorau Hun 
Ar rywogaeth, odiaeth wen, 
Diau bydd : da y w y bon 

Wynnstay i einioes dyn. 
Clod i'r enwog, a'r cu wladwr yno, 

Da yn ei wleddoedd, y dena 'i lwyddo : 
Tdrai ia i lawer, eu tir i lawio ; 
A da yr adwaenir ei dir dano : 
Prif ddyn ar frigyn y fro — Syr Watkin,* 
Gwych hyn a gwerin, a gewch yn gwirio. 
Pe medrwn gweuwn ar gan, 

1 fil eraill fawl eirian : 
Carwyr, goleuwyr eu gwlad, 
Am ethawl ein Amaethiad. 
Ond i lais hen Daliesin, 
Neu Homer fwynber ei fin, 

Rhy ddwys iawn gynnwys yn gain, 
Ar araith eu harwyrain. 
Mae 'r rhai'n i gyd i'w mawrau, 
Dan Sior a dawnus eiriau : 
Mab i un a fu 'n wiw faeth 
Maith addysg Amaethyddiaeth. 
Llwydded, a rhwydded a rhad — Duw anwyl 
Eu daionus fwriad : 
Ac unwn ninnau ganiad, 
O ran llwydd i'r iawn wellad. 
Ond pwy a chlodadwy don, 
Da nodded awenyddion, 
All adrodd, ar ddull hydr-iaith, 
Amcanion gwychion a gwaith, 
Digoll yd, a gwelladau, 
Amaethiad y fwynwlad fau ? 

• As the Duke of Bedford, Mr. Coke, and others have been so much celebrated for their encour- 
agement to English Agriculture, the Author did not deem it foreign to his subject to introduce the 
name of Sir W. W. Wynne, as one t of the chief encouragers of Agriculture in the Principality. 
This he has done, without the most distant view of disparaging others. 



167 

Hynt dwfr, i'r lie mj^no, tyn, 

Llwyr dew-fFrwd uwchlaw 'r dyffryn : 

A phrif-ffyrdd (ei phur effaith) 

A fyddant gofiant o'i gwaith. 

Ffrwynodd, attaliodd y twrf, 

A llanw gwyn, llawn o gynhwrf : 

Lie 'r pysgod, gwaelod oedd gu, 

A ennillodd iawn allu : 

I borthi, rhoddi i'n rhaid, 

Filoedd o anifeiliaid ! 

Heirdd drefydd newydd a naid, 

A thwyninol, wrth ei hamnaid, 

A'i gwyrth yw y llong-byrth llawn, 

Amryvv Dyrus, nior diriawn ! 

Ceir pob maeth arddwriaeth dda, 

Gain lun, a'i gwen a lona : 

Ceir Uuniaeth, cor llawenydd, 

A llwyr deg, ceir Uawer dydd : 

Lie nad oedd i'n lloni dir, 

Nac afiaith i'n a gofir ; 

Dim ond natur bur yn bod, 

Glynau, a chornchwiglenod. 

O Gwalia fwyn, gweli faint — -dy hynod, 
Wahanol ragorfraint ! 
Dy anian ydy w ennaint 
Y tir hwn, — nis tery haint. 

Maith eiddaw Amaethyddiaeth, 
Yw 'r hyn oil i'w rhan a wnaeth 
Celfyddyd byd, lieb oedi, 
Golud, a nerth ein gwlad ni. 
Rliiiodd, a nofiodd Neifion, 
A gwlyeh mawr, o amgylch M6n t 
Ac iddi gwnai honni bawl, 
Am oesoedd yn ormesawl: 
A thybiai nad allai dyn 
Ei fawr rwysg ef oresgyn. 

Ond dyn, ar fin y tonau — a gododd 
Ei gedyrn golofnau : 
A dodwyd hirion didau, 
Er yno 'i nerth, arno 'n iau. 
C c 



168 

Cadarn yr haiarn, fal rhwyd, 
O graig i graig a grogwyd. 
Dros gryfion, fawrion furiau, 
Fal hil aneiddil hen Iau : 
Gawri myg, ar gyrau mor, 
A dig ofwy 'n dygyfor. 
Daliant, goruwch y dylif, 
Yr haiarn-ffordd braff-ffordd brif : 
Yn yrfa o hen Arfon, 
Hyd odrau ymylau Mon. 
Wrth weled y nerthol-waith, 
O haiarn dwys arno 'i daith ; — 
A gwyr byd ar gerbydau, 
Uwch ei ben, ar ei nen iau : — 
Draw 'n gy ru yn dra gorwyllt, 
Gan hau o garnau dan gwyllt. — 
A mawr dwrf amryw dorfoedd, 
A'u cernau blin, cyrn a bloedd — 
Ei dwrw Neifion droe 'n afar, 
A'i grychiawg, ewynawg war, 
Ostyngai : — nid Menai mwy, 
Yrfa 'i aruthr ryferthwy.* 

Nesau mae 'n dd'iau 'r mwyn ddydd, 
Wawr lawn o wir lawenydd, 
Pan yn ol prophwydoliaeth, 
Daw amser mwynber pob maeth ! 
Mawr ddoniau amryw ddynion, 
A geisiant y llwyddiant lion : 
Profant lwydd eu harglwyddiaeth, 
Dawn y Ner i'r dyn a wnaeth. 
Chwiliant ffyrdd yr uchelion, 
A'u rhwysg ar ein daear hon ; 
A chludant, o'u chwiliadau, 
Bob arwydd llwydd a gwellau. 

Gwelwn ben, diben da obaith, — pob rhodd, 
Pob rhwyddwych gelfyddiaeth ! 
Gwneud y ddaear, foddgar faeth, 
Yn olau Eden eilwaith. 

* Should it be maintained, that Highways, Menai Bridge, and other similar improvements, have 
10 connexion with Agriculture, let it be recollected, that the commandment given to man, to 
' subdue the Earth," seems to comprehend every improvement that can be made upon its surface. 



169 

O ! mor wir felys fydd mawr orfoledd 

Y dydd o gynnyrch y daw ddigonedd ! 
E doir rhanau daear a. rhinwedd, 
Newyn i'n lieinioes ni wna anhunedd. 

A mwynau a wnair mewn hedd, — heb ofid 

Y da addewid, ie, diddiwedd. 

O brysied, deued y dydd ! 
Boed, fy Nuw, byd fo newydd ! 
Byd llawnder mwynber a maeth, 
Heddwch, ac Amaetliyddiaeth. 
Mwy ni fydd man i fyddin ; 
A rhad e geir yd a gwin ! 

Y gwaewiFyn o ben goffa, 
Gwnant gyllt'rau, pladuriau da ! 

Y Hew a'r hydd, c'ant lonydd wledd, 
Yr oen a'r blaidd yr unwedd ! 

A dyn a edwyn ei waith, 
A'i alwad cyntaf, eilwaith : — 
Gwneud daear yn war o wedd, 
Boddio 'i Dduw, — byw ddiddiwedd. 

Parch. Edward Hughes, 

Bodfari. 




YR ENGLYN BUDDUGAWL 



YR AWYREN 



GAN ERYR GWERNABWY. 



AWYREN, belen, glud bali, — drwy chwa, 
Derch hynt hyd wybreni ; 
Nwyf wib long, bau nawf, heb li, 
A Haw dyn yn llyw dani. 

Mr. Robert Davies,& 

Nantglyn. 

TRANSLATION. 

That air-filled body, the balloon, a silken vehicle, by a blast see 
soaring on its course through ethereal regions ; as a ship of lively 
range, aloft it swims, without a flood, having for a guide the hand 
of man beneath. 



CAERLLEON : ARGRAPPWYD GAN T. GRUFFYDD. 



APPENDIX. 



LIST OF 
PATRONS, VICE-PATRONS, COMMITTEE, &c. 

Under whose direction the Royal Denbigh Eisteddvod was conducted. 



PRESIDENT, 
SIR EDWARD MOSTYN, BART. TALACRE. 



PATRONS. 



Lord Grosvenor 

Lord Powys 

Lord Bagot 

Lord Dungannon 

Lord Kenyon 

Lord Newborough 

Lord Plymouth 

Right Rev. Lord Bishop of St. Asaph 



Right Rev. Lord Bishop of Bangor 

Marquis of Anglesey 

Lord Dynevor 

Lord Clive 

Lord Ashley, M. P. 

Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart. M. P. 

Sir E. P. Lloyd, Bart. M. P. 

Sir Charles Morgan, Bart. M. P. 



VICE-PATRONS. 



Right Hon. C. W. W. Wynn. M. P. 

Sir T. Mostyn, Bart. M. P. 

Sir T. Hanmer, Bart. 

Sir R. W. Vaughan, Bart. M. P. 

Sir R. Williams, Bart..M. P. 

Sir John Williams, Bart. 

Sir Foster Cunliffe, Bart. 

Sir Richard Puleston, Bart. 

Hon. Frederick West 

Hon. P. R. D. Burrell 

H. Clive, Esq. M. P. 

J. W. Griffith, Esq. 

G. H. D. Pennant, Esq. M. P. 

Colonel Vaughan, Rug 

J. Price, Esq. 

Sir D. Erskine, Bart. 

Sir H. Browne, Knt. 

Colonel Hughes, M. P. 

Very Rev. the Dean of St. Asaph 

R. M. Bulkeley, Esq. 

T. D. Cooke, Esq. 

Thomas Fitzhugh, Esq. 

T. Mostyn Edwards, Esq. 

J. Heaton, Esq. 

LI. B. Hesketh, Esq. 

Dr. Howard, Rector of Denbigh 

E. M. Lloyd, Esq. Pengwern 

E. Lloyd, Esq. Cefn 

Capt. Lloyd, Royal Denbigh Militia 

J. Madocks, Esq. 

J. Marsden, Esq 

Colonel Maxwell 



F. R. West, Esq. M. P. 
H. M. Mostyn, Esq. 

D. Pennant, Esq. 
Francis Richard Price, Esq. 
Colonel Salusbury 

C. W. G. Wynne, Esq. 
J. LI. Wynne, Esq. 
R. W, Wynne, Esq. 
S. Yorke, Esq. 
P. W. Yorke, Esq. 
Edward Grainger, Esq. 
Edward Slaughter, Esq. 

G. Naylor, Esq. 
Rev. W. W. Edwards 
Wilson Jones, Esq. 
Rev. E. Thelwall 
Bevis Thelwall, Esq. 
Spire Hughes, Esq. 

J. B. Hesketh, Esq. 
Thomas Lloyd, Esq. 

E. Lloyd, Esq. 
Major Harrison 

Sir Stephen Glynne, Bart. 
Sir John S. P. Salusbury 
Rev. Dr. Wynne 
Philip Lloyd Fletcher, Esq. 
R. M. Biddulph, Esq. 
The Hon. and Rev. G. Neville Grenville 
John Williams, Esq. 
J. Townshend, Esq. 
Rev. J. M. Luxmoore 
Edward Lloyd Williams, Esq. 
Dd 



172 



COMMITTEE. 



Rev. R. C. Chambres 
Rev. R. Clough 
Rev. R. B. Clough 
Rev. A. B. Clough 
Rev. T. W. Edwards 
E. Edwards, Esq. 
S. Edwardes, Esq. 
T. Evans, Esq. 
James Eyton, Esq. 
Rev. E. Hughes 
Rev. J. Jones 
Rev. J. Jones, Rhuddlau 
R. H. Jones, Esq. 
Mr. W. Jones 
Rev. J. Jones, Henllan 
Rev. D. L. Jones 
Rev. J. Jones, Denbigh 
Mr. Joseph Jones 
Rev. LI. Lloyd 
H. Lloyd, Esq 
Rev. R. Newcome 
Rev. W. H. Owen 
Rev. 11. Parry 
Mr. E. Parry, Chester 
A. O, Pughe, Esq. 
Rev. R. Richards 
Rev. T. Richards 
Rev R. LI. A. Roberts 
R. Roberts, Esq. 
Rev. J. Sma!ley 
Rev. G. Strong 
J. Twiston, Esq. 

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. 
In publishing this list, we cannot avoid noticing the indefatigable 
zeal of the Chairman, J. Heaton, Esq. to whose perseverance, in 
a great me,' sure, the success which attended the Eisteddvod is mainly 
to be attributed : — 

JOHN HEATON, ESQ. PL AS HEATON, Chairman. 
Richard Roberts, Esq. 
John Twiston, Esq. 
Dr. John Williams 
liichard Lloyd Williams, Esq. 
J. Vaughan Home, Esq. 
John Williams, Esq. Abbey 
Thomas Hughes, Esq. Astrad Cottage 
R. P. Jones, M. D. Hon. Secretary. 

MEMBERS. 



J. Williams, Esq. M. D. 

R. Lloyd Williams, Esq. 

J. C. Williams, Esq. 

Rev. R. Williams 

Rev. E. Williams 

J. V. Home, Esq. 

Rev. L. Richards 

J. Williams, Esq. Abbey 

Rev. J. Owen 

Walter Cecil Davies, Esq. 

H. P. Clough, Esq. 

John Hughes, Esq. 

J. Parry, Esq. 

Thomas Hughes, Esq. 

Edward Jones, Esq. 

James Hughes, Esq. 

J. Hughes, jun. Esq. 

Robert Roberts, Esq. 

John Roberts, Esq. 

David Hughes, Esq. 

Rev. J. Jackson 

Gabriel Hughes, Esq. 

Rev. Ellis Roberts 

Rev. J. Jones, Llangynhafal 

Rev. R. Jones 

Rev. F. Owen 

Rev. J. Davies 

Rev. Edmund Williams 

William Chambers, Esq. 

Rev. E. Jones 

Rev. E. J. Owen 



John IVadocks, Esq. Glan y Wern 
Edward Edwards, Esq. Denbigh 
Samuel Edwardes, Esq. Denbigh 
Thomas Evans, Esq. Denbigh 
Rev. John Jones, Denbigh 
Hugh Lloyd, Esq. Tros y Park 
Aneurin Owen, Esq. 
Charles Sankey, Esq Treasurer 

HONORARY 

Mrs. Hemans 

Miss Cotton 

Miss Angharad Lloyd 

Miss F. A. Luxmoore 

Miss Jones, Crosswood, Montgomery 

Miss Davies, Manavon 

Miss Walters, Darowen 

Miss Richards, Darowen 

Miss Jane Richards, Darowen 

Sir Walter Scott, Bart. 



W. O, Pughe, Esq. L.L.D. 

Rev. Walter Davies 

Rev. W. J. Rees 

Rev. J. Jenkins 

Griffith Jones, Esq. London, 

Mr. John Parry, London 

Richard Llwyd, Esq. Chester 

Sharon Turner, Esq. 

Robert Southey, Esq. L.L.D. 

Thomas Moore, Esq. 



173 

LIST OF THE BARDS AND MINSTRELS. 

It would have been very desirable to have had the Bardic names, 
places of residence, &c. of those who attended on this interesting 
occasion ; and it is to be feared many are omitted, the Secretary be- 
ing utterly unable to offer so correct a list as he could have wished :- 



W. O. Pughe, Esq. L.L.D.— Idrison 

John Roberts, Hersedd 

Edward Jones 

John Parry 

Thomas Williams— Pererin 

Richard Williams 

William Parry 

John Owen, Liverpool 

Evan Evans 

Richard Jones 

Joshua Davies 

Simon Jones 

Edward Evans 

Thomas Edwards 

John Evans 

Peter Jones — Pedr Fardd 

Daniel Jones 

William Williams 

John Williams 

Absolom Roberts 

Rev. J. Blackwell— Alun 

Griffith Williams— Guttyn Peris 

Morris Hughes 



Joseph Williams 

Richard Davies 

Thomas Jones — Thomas Gwynedd 

William Davies 

Rev. Edward Hughes, Bodfarry 

Robert Jones 

Edward Jones 

William Edwards, Ysceifiog 

Robert Lloyd 

William Rees— Gioilym Hiraethog 

Samuel Roberts 

David Hughes 

William Edwards— Gwilym Padarn 

Joseph Williams 

Richard Roberts, Harper 

John Lewis 

Robert Davies— Bardd Nantglyn 

Hugh Roberts 

Evan Daniel 

Richard Williams 

David Jones 

Stephen Davies 

John Conway 



LIST OF DONATIONS 

Of the Cymmrodorion Society in Gwynedd, to promote the objects of 
the Grand Eisteddvod at Denbigh, in 1828. 



£. 

Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart 100 

John Heaton, Esq. Plas Heaton . . 5 
John Madocks, Esq. Glan y Wern . . 5 
John W. Griffith, Esq. Gam . . . . 5 
John Price, Esq. Hope Hall . . . . 5 
Sir Henry Browne, Bron-y-wylfa . . 5 
Wilson Jones, Esq. Gelligynan . . 5 
Rev. E. Williams, Vicar LlanThaiadr. 3 
Thomas Evans, Esq Denbigh . . . . 3 
Mr. Humphreys, Rose Hill 
Richard LI, Williams, Esq. . , 
D Williams, Esq. Grove House 
John Lloyd Wynne, Esq Coed Coch 5 5 
Rev. Stephen Donne, Oswestry . . 11 
T. Hughes, Esq. Astrad Cottage . . 2 2 

James Hughes, Esq. Ruthin 2 2 

Rev. J. Jones, Denbigh 1 1 

S. Edwardes, Esq ditto 1 1 

Mr. Gee, ditto .... 

E. Edwards, Esq ditto 

Mr. Price Price .... 

Mrs. Naylor, Plas Clough 

George Naylor, Esq. 

Rev. R. LI. Roberts, Llangwyfan 

Rt. Rev The Ld. Bp. of St. Asaph. 

Mr. Green, Crown Inn, Denbigh 

Walter Wyatt, Esq. St. Asaph 



Charles Calveley, Esq. ditto.... 
J. Vaughan Home, Esq. Denbigh 
Richard Bythell, Esq. St. Asaph 
Rev. D. L. Jones, ditto .... 
Rev. J. Smalley, Cwm .... 

Rev. J. Roberts, Henllan .... 
Mr. Roberts, Bull Ian, Denbigh 
Rev. W. H. Owen, Tremeirchion 
Lloyd Bamford Hesketh, Esq. 
Col. Hughes, Esq. Kinmel Park 

F. R. West, Esq. MP 

Capt. Caldecott, Dolben 

Richard Roberts, Esq. Grove Place. 
Rev. J. Jones, Rector of St. George. 
The Very Rev. the Dean of St. Asaph 
John Twiston, Esq. Denbigh . . 
The Right Hon. Lord Bagot .. .. 
The Right Hon. Lord Ashley, M. P. 
Edwin Wyatt, Esq St. Asaph 
Joseph Ablett, Esq. Llanbedr Hall. . 
Simon Yorke, Esq. Erthig . . . . 
J. H. Salusbury, Esq. Gallt-faenan . . 
Charles Sankey, Esq. .... ; . 

The Misses Peel, Dolhyfryd . . 

J . Wright, Esq. Oaklands 

P. Read, Esq. Llanrwst ' 

Sir Thomas Mostyn, Bart. M. P. 



110 
1 1 
110 
110 
5 5 
20 
10 10 
3 
110 
110 
5 5 
1 1 
10 10 
10 
3 




3 
10 
5 5 
5 5 



2 2 
2 2 



174 



Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart. MP. 
Rev. R Myddleton, Gwaunynog . . 
Rev. R. Newcome, Ruthin 
Rev. R. Richards, Caerwy s .... 
Rev Archdeacon Jones, Llanbedr.. 
G. H. D. Pennant, Esq, M. P. 
Colonel Wynne, Garthewin . . . . 

Rev. G. Strong, Dyserth 

Mr. S. Williams, Denbigh 

Sir J. Williams, Bart, Bodelwyddan. 

Rev, Henry Parry, Llanasa 

Rev. Edward Owen 





2 

2 





Rev. A. B. Clough, Jesus College 
Thomas Lloyd, Esq Marie .... 
Sir Edward Pryce Lloyd, Bart M. ] 
Rev. Thos. W Edwards, Rhuddlan 
Colonel Vaughan, Rug 
Edward Lloyd, Esq. Rug .... 
Rev. Dr Howard, Denbigh 
Sir Stephen Glynne, Baronet 
Rev. R. Jones, Derwen .... 
Edward Jones Hughes, Esq 
Hugh Roberts, Esq .... 

Rev. J. Boulger, Llanrwst . . 



. 3 3 
. 10 10 



An Account of Money paid to the Public Performers who were engaged 
for the Eisteddvod. 



To Mr. Braham- 

Miss Stephens and Miss Johnstone- 
Messrs. Collyer and Atkins- 
Mr. J. Jones, B. M. Oxford- 
Signior and Madame Puzzi- 
Chorus Singers, 



£. 


s. 


D. 


. 115 


10 





. 120 








. 60 








. 30 








. 26 


5 





. 20 


13 






Total- 



„£372 8 



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176 

HONORARY TESTIMONIALS. 

The liberal spirit and efficient services of Sir Edward Mostyn, 
has been deservedly the theme of universal admiration. These were 
duly appreciated by the Committee, who, at a full meeting, held 
on the 6th of April, 1829, Charles Sankey, Esq. in the Chair, 
unanimously passed the following resolution : — " That a Gold Harp, 
after the model of the ancient Welsh Harp, to be designed by Mr. 
Ellis, be presented to Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart, of Talacre, Pre- 
sident of the Royal Eisteddvod, as a memorial of his patriotism on 
that occasion." In conformity with this resolution, the elegant tri- 
bute of respect was executed ; and, on the 17th of September, a 
deputation of the Committee waited on the worthy Baronet in or- 
der to its presentation, when the following address was also read 
by Dr. Phillips Jones, the Secretary : — 

" To Sir Edward Mostyn, of Talacre, Bart. President of the 
Royal Denbigh Eisteddvod, A. D. 1828. 
" Sir, 
" The Committee of the Denbigh Royal Eisteddvod have the 
honor to present to you this model of the Welsh Harp, designed to 
commemorate that Eisteddvod and your Presidency. 

" The Committee cannot but feel how inadequate a testimonial 
this token is of your services on that occasion ; but they hail it, as 
affording them an opportunity of expressing the high sense they en- 
tertain of the liberal and patriotic manner in which you encouraged 
and promoted that brilliant Festival, when, under your happy aus- 
pices, and gladdened by the gracious presence of that illustrious 
Prince, His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex — the Rank, the 
Talent and unrivalled Beauty of Cambria assembled in joyous con- 
cord in the ancient Fortress of Denbigh. 

" That you may long live to enjoy the well merited regard, 
esteem, and respect of your fellow Britons, is the ardent wish of 
" Your devoted faithful friends and Servants, 

" Thomas Evans, 
"J. V. Home, 
(Signed on behalf of the Committee J " Edward Edwards, 

" Thomas Hughes, 
" Charles Sankey, Treasurer. 
" Richd. Phillips Jones, M. D. Hon. Secretary. 



While the gentlemen of the Committee were zealously alive to 
the transcendant services of their excellent President, they were 



177 

not less impressed with the merits of their Secretary, whose sedu- 
lous and able attentions had contributed, in no small degree, to the 
splendour of the Festival. Accordingly, at a General Meeting of 
the Committee, held on the 7th of October, 1828, J. Heaton, of 
Plas Heaton, Esq. in the Chair, it was resolved, " That the sum 
of twenty-five pounds be appropriated towards the purchase of a 
Piece of Plate, to be presented to Dr. Phillips Jones, for his zealous 
and patriotic services in promoting the objects of the Eisteddvod." 
— Mr. Ellis, of John-street, Oxford-street, London, Medalist to 
the Royal Cambrian Institution, was requested to execute, after 
his own design, a drinking goblet of an ancient form. — Mr. 
Ellis thought of the Hirlas Horn, and he completed one of the 
most beautiful, as it is the most unique, pieces of workmanship 
ever beheld. It is an elegantly carved horn, about eighteen inches 
long, brilliantly polished, and richly mounted, the cover highly 
ornamented with chased oak leaves, and the tip adorned with an 
acorn ; the horn resting on luxuriant branches of an oak tree, ex- 
quisitely finished in chased silver. Around the cover is engraved 
the following inscription : — " Presented by the Cymmrodorion in 
Gwynedd, to Richard Phillips Jones, M. D. for his unwearied ex- 
ertions in promoting the Royal Eisteddvod, held at Denbigh, 1828." 
The horn (the inside of which is lined with silver) will contain 
about three half pints ; and Ave doubt not that it will be often passed 
around, filled with Cwrw da, in remembrance of the interesting 
event which it is intended to commemorate — 

" And former times renew in converse sweet." 

In a London print, is contained the following description, and 
the ancient use to which this celebrated utensil was devoted: — 
" About 1160, Owain Cyveiliog, one of the most distinguished 
Princes of Powys, flourished ; he was a great warrior and an emi- 
nent poet ; several specimens of his writings are given in the 
Archaiology of Wales, published by the late patriotic Owain Jones, 
Myfyr. His Poem called the Hirlas Horn (the Long Blue Horn) 
is a masterpiece. It used to be the custom with the Prince, when 
he had gained a battle, to call for the horn, filled with metheglin or 
mead, and drink the contents at one draught, then sound it to show 
that there was no deception ; each of his officers followed his ex- 
ample. Mrs. Hemans has given a beautiful song, in Parry's Second 
Volume of Welsh Melodies, on the subject, concluding thus — 

" Fill higher the Hirlas ! forgetting not those 

Who shard its bright draught in the days which are fled ! 



178 

Tbo' cold on their mountains the valiant repose, 
Their lot shall be lovely — renown to the dead ! 

While harps in the hall of the feast shall be strung, 
While regal Eryri with snow shall be crown'd — 

So long by the Bard shall their battles be sung, 

And the heart of the Hero shall burn at the sound ; 

The free winds of Cambria shall swell with their name, 

And O wain's rich Hirlas be fill'd to their fame !" 



In addition to the above presentations, thanks were voted to the 
above gentlemen, as also to John Heaton, of Plas Heaton, Esq. 
the active Chairman of the Committee ; and to the following gen- 
tlemen, who had undertaken the task of acting as adjudicators in 
deciding on the merits of the various compositions: — The Rev. 
Walter Davies, Manavon ; The Rev. Rowland Williams, Meivod ; 
The Rev. J. Blackwell ; The Rev. John Jones, Llanfair ; The Rev. 
the Warden of Ruthin ; The Rev. Henry Parry, Llanasa ; The 
Rev. R. Richards, Caerwys ; The Rev. J. Jones, Llanychan ; Dr. 
Owen Pughe ; The Rev. Edward Hughes, Bodfarry ; Aneurin 
Owen, Esq. ; and Mr. Robt. Davies,Bard of Nantglyn. 



ERRATA. 

In a note, page 3, for Ovcen Dean of Arches, read fVynii, 



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